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A  double  border  of  great  charm 


A  Little  Book 

of    ^ 

Perennials 


By  , 

ALFRED    C.    HOTTES 

DEPARTMENT  OF  HORTICUITtiRE 
OHIO  STATE  IINIVERSITY 


The  "LITTLE  BOOIC"  Series 


new  york,  n.  y. 
The  a.  T.  De  La  Mare  Company,  Inc. 

1923 


< 


COPYRIGHT,  1923,  BY 

THE  A.  T.  DELA  MARE  COMPANY,  INC. 

NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. 


CONTENTS 


CONTENTS 

J  PAGE 


^    Preface 10 


The  Perennial  Garden 11 

The  Perennial  Border 13 

Garden  Operations 17 

Insects  and  Diseases 21 

Propagation 23 

For  Shady  Places 27 

The  Lists  of  Twenty-Fives 32 

Noteworthy  Perennials 40-158 

Hardy  Ferns 90 

Ornamental  Grasses 97 

Herrs 108 

Index  of  Plant  Names 1.59-162 

Tabular  Cultural  Index 163-170 


11705 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

A  double  border  of  great  charm Frontispiece 

PAGE 

An  arbor  to  frame  portions  of  a  perennial  border 12 

Plan  for  a  backyard  perennial  border 14 

A  border  cut  through  an  orchard 16 

Staking  perennials 20 

Perennials  in  a  coldframe 24 

Plantain  or  Day  Lilies  about  a  pool 27 

Attractive  groupings  of  lU'rennials 28 

Tiarella  cordifolia 30 

Allegheny  Vine  or  Adlumia 42 

Adonis 43 

Monkshood  or  Aconitum  and  Anchusa 4G 

Japanese  Anemone  and  Wild  Asters 48 

Columbines  and  Sea  Pinks .'50 

Arabis  or  Rock  Cress 51 

Butterfly  Weed  or  Asclepias 54 

False  Indigo  and  English  Daisy 59 

Plume  Poppy  or  Bocconia 60 

Butterfly  Bush  or  Buddleia 62 

Canterbury  Bells 64 

Poppy  Mallow,  Turtle  Head,  Clematis  and  Carpathian  Harebell 66 

Snow-in-Summer  and  Coreopsis 69 

Shasta  Daisy,  the  giant  among  fortune  tellers 74 

Delphinium  or  Hardy  Larkspur 76 

Sweet  William,  an  old  favorite 78 

Clove  Pink,,  incomparable  for  edging 79 

Bleeding  Heart  and  Gas  Plant 80 

A  mass  of  Foxgloves  we  all  may  have 83 

Leopard's  Bane,  Globe  Thistle,  Gaillardia  and  Purple  Gone  Flower.  .   86 

A  Shaded  Nook  of  Ferns  and  Plantain  Lilies 91 

Closed  or  Bottle  Gentian 95 

Giant  Reed  or  Arundo 98 

Helen's  Flower  or  Helenium 103 

Maximilian's  Sunflower,  one  of  the  choicest  late  flowers  of  Fall 105 

Lemon  Lily  and  Kansas  Gay  Feather 107 


LIST   OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  9 

PAGE 

Mallows  or  Hibiscus  and  Japanese  Iris Ill 

Tall  Hollyhocks  to  greet  us  through  the  open  window 113 

Coral  BeUs  and  Blue  Flax 114 

St.  John's  Wort  or  Hypericum 115 

Lupines  and  Blue  Lobeha 120 

Purple  Loosetrife  or  Lythrum 123 

Maltese  Cross,  a  form  of  Lychnis;  Bee  Balm  or  Monarda;  the  blazing 

^   Oriental  Poppy 126 

Iceland  Poppy 128 

Missouri  Evening  Primrose  or  CEnothera 129 

Peonies — everybody's  flower 131 

Types  of  Peonies 133 

Hardy  Phlox  and  Moss  Pink  or  Phlox  subulata 137 

The  rampant  growing  False  Dragon  Head;  Torrey's  Bearded  Tongue; 

Chinese  Balloon  Flower 140 

Plumbago  and  Knotweed  or  Polygonum 142 

Prhnroses 146 

Pyre  thrum  or  Pink  Daisy  and  Matilija  Poppy  or  Romneya 148 

The  Azure  Sage  is  charming  in  the  Fall  months 150 

The  showy  Stonecrop  and  Aruncus  Sylvester  or  Goat's  Beard 153 

Meadow  Rue  or  Thalictrum  and  Globe  Flower  or  Trollius .155 

Veronica 157 


10  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


PREFACE 

THIS  "Little  Book  of  Perennials"  is  the  second  of  a  series  and 
should  serve  as  a  companion  to  "The  Little  Book  of  Annuals." 
In  the  "Garden  Guide"  many  of  these  flowers  were  mentioned, 
but  there  has  been  a  demand  to  know  more  about  them.  The  catalogs 
of  the  commercial  growers  of  perennials  should  serve  as  a  supplement 
to  this  book  for  they  will  deal  more  especially  with  the  varieties.  Each 
grower  will  carry  his  own  varieties  which  he  has  selected  for  color, 
size  or  habit,  and  as  these  varieties  are  being  constantly  improved 
the  catalogs  are  invaluable. 

An  effort  has  been  made  to  present  only  the  most  outstanding 
perennials,  flowers  which  are  either  so  strong  that  they  almost  care 
for  themselves,  or  so  exquisitely  charming  that  they  warrant  any 
amount  of  time  in  rearing  them  properly. 

The  author  was  assisted  by  Miss  Egeva  Wiseman  in  much  of  the 
work  involved  in  compiling  this  book.  To  her  he  acknowledges  a 
goodly  share  of  the  credit  that  may  come  to  it.  He  owes  a  debt  to  the 
many  garden  lovers  who  have  told  him  their  experiences — their  suc- 
cesses in  culture  and  propagation.  He  hopes  to  enjoy  the  suggestions 
of  his  readers  and  will  welcome  their  corrections,  additions  and 
criticisms, 

Alfred  C.  Hottes. 
Columbus,  O.,  February.  1923. 


THE  PERENNIAL  GARDEN  11 


THE  PERENNIAL  GARDEN 

PLANTS  which  hve  year  after  year  in  the  garden  are  known  as 
perennials.    They  include  some  of  the  old-fashioned  flowers  such 

as  Peonies,  Phloxes  and  Larkspurs.  It  is  a  comphment  to  a 
flower  to  call  it  "old-fashioned,"  for  that  indicates  that  the  flower  was 
popular  with  our  grandparents  and  was  so  worth  while  that  we  grow 
them  even  today.  Each  nationahty  coming  to  our  shores  has  brought 
with  it  the  old  favorites  of  the  ancestral  home.  Here  these  flowers 
have  often  become  veritable  weeds.  The  Eglantine,  or  Sweet  Brier 
Rose,  is  thought  by  many  to  be  a  wild  Rose,  but  not  so.  It  was  intro- 
duced by  the  English,  perhaps  even  the  Pilgrims.  Such  also  is  the 
case  with  Bouncing  Bet,  Tansy  and  the  Orange  Day  Lily.  LIundreds 
of  real  wild  flowers  are  seldom  considered  such  because  they  have  been 
in  our  gardens  for  years.  The  Bee  Balm,  Kentucky  Blue  BeU,  Llelen's 
Flower  and  the  Blanket  Flower  are  examples  of  native  flowers  found 
about  our  own  country  in  woods  and  gardens. 

But  of  the  vast  array  of  flowers  we  should  give  a  Httle  thought  to 
their  origin.  Someone  has  greatly  admired  each  of  our  plants  where 
they  have  transplanted  them  from  the  wild  forest,  the  green  meadow, 
the  shelving  mountain  ledge,  the  rocky  brookside,  the  watery  lowlands 
or  the  level  prairies.  Someone  has  brought  these  flowers  from  flowery 
Japan,  tropic  Africa,  or  from  the  home  woodlot.  Many  have  re- 
sponded to  care,  but  not  a  few  others  have  had  to  be  carefuUy  bred. 
Men  have  crossed  and  recrossed  these  plants,  saved  their  seeds,  fondled 
their  ofl'spring,  chosen  the  best,  and  finaUy  have,  perhaps,  named  them 
for  friends  or  other  men  whose  work  or  interest  in  flowers  has  earned 
for  them  this  signal  honor. 

Someone  has  truly  written  that  the  most  beautiful  gardens  are 
in  the  mind,  not  in  the  soil.  The  flowers  in  your  own  garden  are  always 
more  interesting  than  those  in  the  gardens  of  another.  They  are  the 
results  of  your  labor;  there  is  the  enjoyment  of  ownership;  they  are 
your  flowers. 

Who  is  there  with  a  flower  garden  who  does  not  share  these  blooms 
with  his  neighbor  ?  We  should  never  fear  to  break  up  our  clumps  of 
plants  and  give  to  our  friends.  Most  plants  need  such  division  at 
regular  intervals.    That  garden  becomes  interesting  which  is  made  up 


12 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


of  plants  given  you  by  friends;  each  of  these  plants  deserves  careful 
culture  to  bring  it  to  such  a  state  of  perfection  as  will  indicate  your 
appreciation  of  your  friend,  the  giver.  A  pink  Larkspur  becomes 
more  than  a  Larkspur — it  is  a  memory  of  Mrs.  Neighbor  or  Mr. 
Sharer. 

The  progressive  garden  lover  should  each  year  add  some  of  the 
best  kinds  of  plants  to  his  garden.  We  should  note  who  sells  the  best, 
who  has  contributed  to  the  improvement  of  your  favorite  flowers  and 
purchase  from  them.  What  are  the  few  cents  in  initial  cost  ?  Some 
kinds  will  increase  tenfold  in  a  year.  Many  seedsmen,  flower  special- 
ists and  nurserymen,  send  you  their  catalogs  year  after  year  at  consid- 
erable expense.  They  are  anxious  to  render  you  every  service.  They 
are  encouraged  to  find  that  their  efl'orts  are  not  in  vain  and  that 
people  are  becoming  increasingly  interested  in  the  better  varieties. 
When  you  ask  for  Peony  Therese  and  Iris  Isohne,  they  are  pleased. 
They  know  that  you  have  passed  the  stage  where  "just  Peonies  and 
just  Iris"  are  sufiicient,  because  you  are  inquiring  for  some  of  the 
improved  varieties. 


An  arbor  to  frame  portions  of  a  perennial  border.      (See  page  15) 


THE  PERENNIAL  BORDER  13 


THE  PERENNIAL  BORDER 

PERENNIALS  may  be  planted  in  any  situation  except  hit  and 
niiss  tliroughout  a  lawn.  Pity  in  plenty  should  be  showered  upon 
the  man  who  must, cut  a  lawn  in  which  a  Peony,  a  Sw^et  WiUiam 
and  a  Phlox  have  been  planted  in  the  sod.  Furthermore,  it  is  not  in 
conformity  with  good  taste  to  make  small  square,  circular  or  star- 
shaped  beds.  Someone  has  described  such  beds  specked  about  the 
greensward  as  "an  Itahan  pastry  cook's  idea  of  the  beautiful."  Let  us 
then  have  masses  of  our  garden  favorites  bordering  the  driveways, 
the  fences,  the  law^n  and  the  dooryard,  or  assign  a  definite  garden  area 
and  there  plant  our  flowers. 

PLANNING 

A  border  may  be  formal  or  informal;  the  plants  may  be  set  in 
definite  ribbon-fike  bands  or  placed  in  natural  clumps.  Generally,  the 
latter  method  is  to  be  preferred  unless  we  are  planning  a  prim  garden 
of  geometrical  form  on  a  large  estate.  Assuming,  then,  that  enough 
space  is  available,  it  is  interesting  to  have  two  borders  separated  by  a 
grass,  gravel  or  stone  walk.  To  have  the  greatest  satisfaction  the 
border  should  be  planned  on  paper.  Some  persons  will  say  that  they 
are  gardeners,  not  draughtsmen,  but  no  drawing  abihty  is  necessary. 
The  idea  of  sketching  is  merely  to  place  the  plants  properly. 

HEIGHTS 

Obviously,  the  tall  plants  should  be  at  the  back  of  the  border,  the 
dwarf  edging  plants  in  the  front  and  those  of  medium  height  tucked  in 
between  the  two  extremes.  Nevertheless,  this  rule  should  not  be 
followed  too  strictly,  otherwise  the  result  will  give  a  border  which  will 
be  too  monotonous.  Allow  bold  groups  of  tall  plants  to  come  to  the 
front  of  the  border.  For  the  best  efi'ects  in  the  Springtime  some  of  the 
earliest  dwarf  plants  may  be  planted  toward  the  center  to  give  a  mass 
of  color  throughout  the  width  of  the  border. 

WIDTH 

Having  mentioned  the  word  "width"  it  may  be  said  that  the 
border  should  be  at  least  4  feet  wide;  otherwise  the  grass  roots  will 


THE  PERENNIAL  BORDER  15 

intrude  and  rob  the  flowers.  The  border  may  be  hZ  feet  or  wider,  in 
which  case  larger  masses  of  flowers  may  be  planted.  Nature  produces 
its  flowers  in  profusion  and  so  must  we  if  our  borders  are  to  give  us 
the  maximum  satisfaction.  Good,  big  eyefuls  of  color  are  impressive; 
little  dabs  of  color  seem  puny  and  artificial. 

BACKGROUNDS 

It  is  advisable  to  have  a  background  for  our  perennials,  especially 
behind  the  shorter  growing  sorts.  A  lattice  fence,  a  border  of  shrubs  or 
a  hedge  will  serve  to  set  ofl*  the  colors  of  the  flowers.  None  but  the 
most  robust  perennials  should  be  planted  directly  in  front  of  a  hedge 
or  border  of  shrubs,  for  the  flowers  are  sure  to  be  robbed  of  food  and 
moisture.  Leave  a  space  of  2  feet  between  the  hedge  and  the  bed  of 
flowers.  Shrubs  and  conifers  may  be  planted  here  and  there  in  the 
perennial  border  to  advantage  in  order  to  produce  bays  of  tall,  green 
foliage  masses.  The  illustration  on  page  12  shows  various  sections  of 
a  border  framed  by  the  arches  of  a  pergola.  When  there  is  a  border 
on  both  sides  of  a  walk  much  interest  is  added  by  arches  across  the 
pathway.  There  need  not  be  more  than  one  or  two  in  a  border  50  feet 
long.  Too  many  arches  would  tend  to  detract  from  the  border  of 
flowers. 

SEASONS 

Shall  the  truth  be  told  or  shall  the  usual  advice  be  given  again  ? 
The  facts  are  these:  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  plan  a  border  of  any 
size  which  shaU  display  a  neat,  tidy  appearance  and  at  the  same  time 
shall  be  in  bloom  from  April  until  frost.  There  will  be  unsightly  spots 
where  some  perennial  has  passed  its  season  and  where  the  neighboring 
sorts  have  failed  to  cover  the  traces  of  the  earlier  sort.  However,  it  is 
possible  by  plaiming,  care  and  transplanting  to  maintain  such  borders 
of  almost  uninterrupted  bloom. 

Some  persons  prefer  to  have  an  entire  border  giving  an  attractive 
Spring,  Summer  or  Fall  effect;  others  have  pretty  spots  for  each  season. 

There  are  optimists,  however,  who  have  planted  the  border  for  an 
all-the-year-round  effect  and  who  fail  to  notice  the  bare  spots,  so 
charmed  are  they  by  the  choice  flowers  which  are  at  any  one  time  in 
bloom.  They  are  the  same  persons  who  do  not  say  "Every  Rose  has 
its  thorn";  they  say  "It  is  remarkable  that  some  thorns  bear  Roses." 

Relative  to  seasons  it  must  be  said  that  care  should  be  exercised 
not  to  have  too  many  of  the  early  flower  sorts  toward  the  front  unless 
they  retain  their  foliage  until  Fall.  It  is  better  to  plant  certain  rather 
permanent  foliage  plants  as  an  edging. 


16 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


A  border  cut  through  an  orchard.      Colors  vie  with  each  other  and  even  detract 
our  attention  from  the  building  in   the   background. 


COLOR 

The  color  arrangement  should  be  pleasing.  Is  this  not  a  trite 
statement  ?  And  yet,  what  is  pleasing  to  one  is  a  jar  to  the  tastes  of 
another.  Rather  love  flowers  and  plant  a  riot  of  colors  than  fear  to 
infringe  upon  good  taste  by  avoiding  to  plant.  When  your  taste  im- 
proves you  can  transplant  easily. 

Read  what  Wm.  Saville  says  about  colors.  He  was  speaking  before 
the  Florists'  Club  of  Philadelphia: 

"It  should  be  the  aim  in  starting  (as  you  enter  the  border  from  either 
end)Xto  have  flowers  of  light  coloring  and  foliage  plants  of  gray-glaucous 
or  bluish  leaf.  As  one  passes  to  the  center  the  color  is  allowed  to  become 
stronger  and  stronger,  untU  in  the  center  position  we  have  one  strong 
color  vying  with  another.  There  is  a  craze  (which  I  have  not  seen  success- 
fully c£uried  out)  to  have  borders  aU  blue;  or  graduated  from  white  to 
pink;  to  golden;  to  bronze  and  up  to  crimson;  but,  in  my  opinion,  a  mixed 
border  is  preferable." 

W.  J.  Potter,  of  the  Parks  Department,  Toronto,  in  a  paper  read 
before  The  Canadian  Horticultural  Association  once  said: 

"Color  planting  is  more  suitable  for  large  gardens,  where  the  eye  rests 
on  the  whole,  or  greater  pau-t  of  the  scheme.    It  also  includes  the  choice 


GARDEN  OPERATIONS  17 

and  use  of  two  colors  or  combinations,  such  as  pink  and  blue  (light),  cream 
and  purple,  golden  yellow  and  deep  blue,  or  orange  and  medium  blue;  or 
a  gradual  blending  down  from  an  intense  color,  using  several  intermediate 
shades.  The  yellow  and  orange  shades  always  look  weU  and  if  separated 
in  good,  generous  blocks,  cannot  help  but  be  effective.  Blocks  of  white 
flowers  or  green  ornamental  foliage  will  act  as  a  foil  where  it  is  necessary 
to  use  strong  colors  in  heavy  masses,  reds  and  scarlets  for  example,  that  is 
if  both  meet  the  eye  at  the  same  time.  The  blue  Delphiniums,  white  and 
pink  Hollyhocks  afford  an  example  of  good  tones,  but  keep  the  reds  and 
maroons  away.  Gypsophila  and  purple  Delphinium  form  an  esthetic 
combination.  Place  Golden  Coreopsis  against  heavy  foliage  and  deep 
shadows.  Plant  Foxgloves  among  an  underground  of  dwarfer  material  or 
among  evergreens  in  g  roups.  The  composite  flowers  offer  many  delightful 
combinations.  One  cannot  err  in  their  use,  as  the  colors,  for  the  most  part, 
can  be  caUed  relative  or  harmonious.  Examples  include  Heliopsis  and 
CalUmeris  incisa,  Stokesia  and  Shasta  Daisy.  These  can  be  used  also  with 
Golden  Anthemis.  Rudbeckia  purpurea  and  Rudbeckia  fulgida  or  sub- 
tomentosa  harmonize,  and  so  on  "ad  infinitum."  GoUections  of  Phlox 
show  off  to  much  advantage  if  separated  as  to  color,  the  scarlets  from  the 
magentas  and  the  pinks  from  the  purples.    Use  the  white  forms  between." 

Whole  books  have  been  written  deahng  with  color  in  the  garden, 
but  these  few  remarks  must  sufTice.  Plan  a  special  color  garden  if  your 
fancy  tells  you  to  do  so.  In  any  case,  avoid  buying  mixtures  of  flower 
seeds;  buy  packets  of  colors  which  harmonize  and  make  your  own 
mixture.  Avoid  variegated  flowers;  they  appear  muddy  in  the  distance. 
Avoid  combining  the  various  reds — the  scarlets  with  the  crimsons — 
unless  separated  by  masses  of  white  flowers  or  foliage. 


GARDEN  OPERATIONS 

NOTHING  without  labor"  is  the  motto  of  the  garden,  although 
it  is  true  that  some  perennials  require  but  little  care.  He  who 
loves  the  garden  enough  does  not  think  of  the  labor  but  remem- 
bers only  the  triumph  of  having  lusty,  flowering  plants.  He  prepares 
his  soil  properly,  realizing  that  the  camouflage  of  having  a  good  surface 
soil,  but  a  poor  soil  beneath,  fools  persons  but  not  plants.  He  talks 
little  about  the  bugs;  he  sprays  them. 

PREPARATION  OF  THE  SOIL 

Perennials  must  remain  rather  permanently  in  one  place  and  for 
this  reason,  if  for  no  other,  the  soil  should  be  deeply  and  thoroughly 
prepared.  UsuaUy  good  soil  extends  down  only  about  a  foot,  yet  many 
of  our  perennials  are  deep  rooting.  For  example,  the  leguminous  and 
the  mallow  plants  prefer  to  strike  downward.  Most  of  our  plants  will 
sufl'er  less  from  drought  in  Midsummer  if  the  roots  are  in  the  cool, 


18  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

moisture-laden  soil  beneath.  Therefore,  dig  the  soil  out  to  a  depth  of 
18  to  24  in.  and  incorporate  some  well  rotted  manure  into  the  dead 
subsoil. 

PLANTING 

Some  say  it  is  best  to  prepare  the  border  in  the  Fall,  leaving  the 
soil  rough  and  subject  to  the  freezing  action  during  the  Winter,  after 
which  it  may  be  leveled  and  planted  in  the  Spring. 

Sweeping  statements  cannot  be  made  about  such  diverse  plants 
as  are  here  discussed,  but  it  would  seem  that  with  the  exception  of 
the  most  tender  sorts,  early  Fall  planting  is  advisable.  There  is  not 
as  much  to  be  done  in  the  garden  in  the  Fall.  The  plants,  if  trans- 
ferred early  enough,  will  become  thoroughly  established  by  Spring 
and  will  start  into  growth  earher  and  produce  stronger  root  systems 
which  should  enable  them  to  withstand  drought.  In  Autumn  the  soil 
works  more  easily  than  in  Spring,  and  retaining  its  Summer  warmth, 
induces  root  action.  Another  point  worthy  of  consideration  is  the  fact 
that  many  times  the  nurseries  are  unable  to  supply  us  with  just  what 
we  want  if  we  order  too  late  in  Spring,  as  they  frequently  are  sold  out 
of  popular  varieties.  Late  Fall  planting  is  to  be  avoided  because  the 
plants  should  be  thoroughly  established  before  freezing,  as  resting 
plants  do  not  take  hold  of  the  soil. 

In  the  descriptions  of  the  perennials  found  in  this  little  book  the 
best  time  for  transplanting  is  usually  given.  The  plants  with  ever- 
green foliage  are  usually  best  moved  in  Spring,  as  are  also  the  less 
hardy  sorts. 

NOURISHMENT  FOR  PLANTS 

Plants  feed  from  air  as  well  as  soil,  but  it  is  within  our  power  to 
improve  the  soil  nourishment  only.  It  is  generally  agreed  that  the 
physical  condition  of  the  soil  is  more  important  than  its  actual  chemical 
nature.  A  soil  in  good  physical  condition  is  well  supplied  with  decayed 
manure  and  is  fibrous.  It  is  easily  worked  and  is  teeming  with  bacteria 
which  work  to  release  the  plant  food  which  most  soil  contains.  The 
big  function  of  manure  added  to  soil  is  to  give  the  soil  a  good  texture 
and  assist  in  releasing  its  hidden  chemical  resources.  The  three  main 
chemicals  needed  by  plants  are  nitrates,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash. 
Unless  these  elements  are  soluble  in  water  they  are  not  available  to 
the  plants.    Much  of  the  value  of  fertilizers  is  to  unlock  these  elements. 

Lime  Not  a  Fertilizer.  The  value  of  hme  to  soil  is  not  that  it 
adds  plant  food,  but  that  it  combines  with  other  substances  and  be- 
comes useful  to  plants.  It  is  of  great  value  for  other  reasons  as  well. 
It  makes  heavy  soils  looser,  it  makes  sandy  soils  more  compact,  it 


GARDEN  OPERATIONS  19 

sweetens  sour  soils  and  it  increases  the  number  of  bacteria.  There  are 
few  gardens  which  have  been  cultivated  for  a  period  of  years  thai 
would  not  benefit  by  an  application  of  lime  every  three  or  four  years. 

Nitrogen  Fertilizers.  Animal  manures  contain  nitrogen  and 
are  generally  beneficial  to  soils.  Well  decayed  manure  is  usually  ad- 
vised because  plant  roots  are  frequently  injured  by  contact  with  fresh 
manure.  Manure  used  as  a  Winter  mulch  may  be  worked  into  the  soil 
in  the  Spring,  or  manure  may  be  placed  in  water  and  the  manure  water 
may  be  applied  to  the  plants. 

Nitrate  of  soda,  ammonium  sulphate  and  such  nitrate  fertilizers 
are  strong  drugs  for  plants.  They  add  nothing  to  the  physical  condi- 
tion of  the  soil  but  do  supply  a  large  quantity  of  nitrogen.  Nitrogen 
causes  growth  and  larger  flowers.  These  chemical  fertilizers  are  dis- 
solved in  water  and  appHed  to  plants  while  they  are  growing.  Too 
much  nitrogen  causes  excessive  growth,  delayed  flowering  and  weak- 
stemmed  plants.  These  chemical  nitrogen  fertilizers  may  be  applied 
at  the  rate  of  one  teaspoon  to  a  gallon  of  water  to  make  plants  greener, 
more  rapid  in  growth  and  to  increase  the  size  of  the  flowers;  used  for 
this  purpose  when  the  plants  come  into  bud.  Do  not  apply  too  strong 
nor  get  the  solution  upon  the  leaves  of  the  plants.  Remember  that  it 
is  a  drug  and  should  be  used  accordingly. 

BoNEMEAL.  Bonemeal  is  one  of  the  best  general  fertilizers  for 
flowers  because  it  contains  not  only  nitrogen  but  phosphorus.  It  is 
useful  for  aU  sorts  of  flowers  and  may  be  scattered  over  the  soil  so  that 
it  is  white.  Cultivate  this  into  the  soil  and  the  value  of  this  fertilizer 
will  last  through  the  season.    There  is  no  danger  in  applying  too  much. 

Wood  Ashes.  The  third  great  element,  potash,  is  found  in  abun- 
dance in  unleached  wood  ashes.  Most  sofls  contain  quite  enough 
potash,  but  if  one  has  some  wood  ashes  it  may  be  used  with  benefit 
about  the  flower  garden.  A  light  covering  of  the  soil,  hoed  in,  will 
be  sufficient. 

CULTIVATION 

Perennials  usually  pay  us  for  care  by  producing  larger  blooms 
borne  more  continuously  throughout  the  season.  Few  plants  do  well 
in  soil  which  is  aUowed  to  bake  in  a  stifl"  crust  at  the  surface  of  the  soil. 
It  is  weU  to  cultivate  them  with  a  hoe  or  smaU  tool  in  such  a  way  that 
a  loose  layer  of  soil  surrounds  each  plant.  Air  enters  the  soil,  the 
roots  strike  more  deeply,  the  weeds  are  kept  in  check  and  less  water 
need  be  appfied  to  the  plants  when  there  is,  what  the  gardener  caUs,  a 
dust  mulch  about  the  plants. 

In  fieu  of  cultivation  a  mulch  of  manure  or  lawn  clippings  may  be 
placed  around  the  plants. 


20 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


WATERING 

If  the  soil  is  properly  prepared  and  cultivated  water  is  only  needed 
in  the  perennial  garden  during  the  most  severe  droughts.  Many  plants 
may  be  encouraged  to  bloom  a  second  time  if  they  are  watered  thor- 
oughly and  fertilized.  Water  plants  leisurely,  giving  each  clump  a 
good,  long  drink.  Merely  wetting  the  surface  soil  is  injurious  to  the 
plants  because  it  coaxes  the  roots  to  the  surface  soil  and  makes  them 
susceptible  to  the  hot  sun  which  will  parch  these  feeding  roots.  Fur- 
thermore, the  benefits  of  cultivation  are  destroyed  by  daily  sprinkling 
the  surface  of  the  soil. 

STAKING 

The  taller  and  more  slender  grow- 
ing plants  need  stakes.  Too  commonly 
we  note  stakes  in  greater  evidence  than 
plants.  Make  them  inconspicuous  by 
painting  them  green,  and  place  them  in 
the  centers  of  the  clumps  so  that  the 
growth  may  appear  perfectly  natural, 
not  bundled.  Lower  growing  perennials, 
such  as  Achillea  The  Pearl,  which  are 
apt  to  sprawl  about  the  garden,  are 
best  supported  by  placing  twiggy 
branches  of  shrubs  and  trees  among  the 
plants  into  which  the  shoots  may  grow. 

No  garden  is  quite  as  pretty  as  it 
should  be  when  the  plants  need  stakes 
and  do  not  have  them  or  when  the 
method  of  supporting  the  plants  is 
artificial  in  appearance. 


SEED  PODS  AND  WITHERED  FLOW- 
ERS 

The  hardest  work  a  plant  performs 
is  to  produce  seed,  and  so  it  is  ever  wise 
to  prevent  seeding,  thereby  continuing 
the  season  of  bloom.  The  wise  method 
is  to  burn  the  old  flowers  as  they  harbor 

thrips,  a  minute  insect  which  destroys  the  beauty  of  many  flowers. 

Besides  this  matter  of  economizing  the  strength  of  the  plants,  gardens 

going  to  seed  are  untidy;  they  show  want  of  care. 


Staking  perennials.  Note  the 
method  of  tying  the  heavy  cord 
about  the  stake  first.  This  in- 
sures the  support  from  slipping 
down. 


INSECTS  AND  DISEASES  21 

PROTECTION 

Four  factors  are  accountable  for  the  winterkilling  of  perennials 
and  the  main  one  is  not  the  extreme  cold.  Drying  winds  are  especially 
detrimental  to  those  which  hold  their  foliage  through  the  Winter. 
Water  standing  upon  the  crown  wiU  kill  most  perennials.  The  alter- 
nate freezing  and  thawing  of  the  soil  will  cause  much  damage,  because 
it  causes  them  to  be  lifted  from  the  soil.  Especially  is  this  true  of  plants 
set  too  late  or  of  those  plants  having  few  fibrous  roots. 

Except  wlien  diseases  are  rampant  in  the  garden,  the  tops  of  the 
plants  should  not  be  removed  until  Spring  because  they  tend  to  pro- 
tect the  plants  by  catcliing  the  snow.  Leaves  are  frequently  used  as 
a  protecting  material  but  they  are  harmful  and  actually  smother  the 
plants  unless  the  border  is  first  covered  with  rough  material  so  that 
they  cannot  pack  tightly  over  the  crowns  of  the  plants.  Evergreen 
plants,  Sweet  Williams,  Hollyhocks  and  such  plants,  are  easily  pro- 
tected if  evergreen  boughs  are  used.  Remember  that  plants  need  a 
parasol  as  much  as  they  do  an  overcoat.  Manure  serves  as  a  good 
protection.  However,  it  should  be  well  decayed  or  strawy,  not  lumpy 
and  compact. 

The  protection  is  best  applied  after  the  ground  is  frozen.  The 
plants  will  then  remain  frozen.  A  mulch  appUed  too  early  will  cause 
the  perennials  to  make  a  soft  growth  during  the  warm  days  of  the  Fall. 

It  is  well  to  loosen  but  not  remove  the  nmlch  on  the  warm  days  of 
early  Spring.  Take  off  the  mulch  when  the  date  of  the  last  kilhng  frost 
is  passed. 


INSECTS  AND  DISEASES 

PERNICIOUS,  vicious,  obnoxious  and  throughly  bad  are  the  pests 
and  diseases  of  our  perennial  garden.    The  control  of  insects  and 
diseases  has  been  mentioned  under  the  plants  affected,  but  here 
must  be   stated  some  general  facts  and  a  few  standard  formulae  given 
for  insecticides  and  fungicides. 

INSECTS 

Two  big  groups  of  insects  bother  our  flowers:  Those  which  chew 
holes  in  the  leaves,  flowers  and  stems — the  caterpillars,  "worms," 
slugs,  cut  worms — for  these  stomach  poisons  are  used;  and  those 
which  merely  pierce  through  the  tissues  of  plants  and  suck  the  juices 
from  them — aphids,  Hce,  leaf  hoppers — for  these  contact  insecticides 
are  used.  ,^The,insect^must  actually  be  hit,  in  which  case  it  is  smothered. 


22  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PEllEJNJNIALS 

An  insecticide  which  kills  chewing  mouth-part  insects  does  not 
necessarily  kill  those  with  sucking  mouth-parts. 

STOMACH  POISONS  FOR  INSECTS  WHICH  EAT 

Arsenate  of  Lead.  This  is  the  best  one.  It  comes  in  powder  and 
paste  form  and  is  used  at  the  rate  of  1  oz.  of  paste  or  14  oz.  of  powder 
to  1  gal.  of  water.  Apply  as  a  spray.  Soap  may  be  added  to  help  the 
spray  to  stick  to  the  plants.  The  powder  may  be  dusted  upon  the 
infested  plants. 

Poison  Bait.  For  cut  worms,  grasshoppers  and  insects  which  are 
difficult  to  locate,  concoct  a  delicious  death  bait  for  them.  Mix  about  a 
teaspoon  of  arsenate  of  lead,  a  tablespoon  of  molasses  and  a  little  water 
to  each  handful  of  wheat  bran.  Place  a  tablespoonful  here  and  there 
about  the  garden  just  before  dark  to  kill  cut  worms.  There  is  no  danger 
of  killing  birds  with  the  bran  if  it  is  placed  under  a  shingle  or  a  piece 
of  wood  where  they  cannot  reach  it. 

CONTACT  INSECTICIDES  FOR  INSECTS  WHICH  SUCK 

Nicotine  Extract.  Nicotine  is  death  to  the  Rose  lice  or  any  other 
hce  or  sucking  insects.  It  is  purchased  in  a  concentrated  from  and 
should  be  used  according  to  the  directions  upon  the  container  in  which 
it  is  purchased.  Soap  added  to  the  mixture  will  help  it  to  adhere  to 
the  bodies  of  the  insects. 

DISEASES 

Plants  are  diseased  when  their  normal  activities  are  not  func- 
tioning properly  or  when  they  are  the  prey  to  fungi  and  harmful  bac- 
teria. The  plants  most  crowded  and  not  growing  properly  are  most 
seriously  affected.  Sunhght  and  proper  air  circulation  are  great  pre- 
ventives. Wet  seasons  favor  diseases.  Diseases  are  more  easily  pre- 
vented than  cured.  It  must  be  remembered  that  in  killing  a  disease 
we  are  confronted  with  the  problem  of  killing  one  plant — the  disease — 
without  kilHng  the  plant  affected  with  this  disease.  Preventing  disease 
consists  in  refraining  from  planting  any  plant  in  the  same  spot  year 
after  year;  it  consists  further  in  the  destruction  by  burning  of  any 
part  of  the  diseased  plant;  together  with  proper  spraying.  Spraying 
with  a  fungicide  may  kill  the  fungus,  but  it  never  cures  the  leaf, 
flower  or  stem  affected.  Its  value  lies  in  preventing  the  spread  of 
the  disease  to  other  parts  of  the  plant.  The  control  of  fungous  diseases 
depends  generally  upon  the  use  of  copper  and  sulphur. 

FUNGICIDES 

Powdered  or  Flowers  of  Sulphur.  This  is  useful  in  controlling 
mildews,  which  are  surface  diseases  characterized  by  a  whitish  powdery 


PROPAGATION  23 

appearance  of  the  plants.  If  powdered  sulphur  is  placed  in  a  piece  of 
cheesecloth  and  sifted  over  the  plants  early  in  the  morning  when  the 
dew  is  on  the  plants,  mildew  can  be  checked  from  spreading.  The 
use  of  sulphur  is  more  effective  when  the  sun  comes  out  on  the  day  of 
application,  because  the  heat  of  the  sun  vaporizes  the  sulphur.  It 
may  be  needless  to  remark  that  the  sulphur  in  no  case  should  be 
burned.     Burning  sulphur  is  most  destructive  of  plant  and  animal  life. 

Bordeaux  Mixture.  Useful  for  Peony  bud  rot,  Phlox  mildew.  Holly- 
hock rust  and  many  other  diseases  of  perennials.  It  has  the  bad  fault 
of  leaving  a  bluish  white  appearance  upon  the  plants.  Its  use  is  there- 
fore confined  to  the  early  stages  of  growth  and  may  be  sprayed  upon 
the  soil  in  March  and  weekly  thereafter  until  the  plants  become  un- 
sightly. Some  persons  believe,  however,  that  a  sUghtly  white  plant  is 
better  than  a  diseased  or  dead  one  and  always  spray  with  Bordeaux 
mixture. 

Bordeaux  mixture  may  be  purchased  already  prepared.  It  is 
most  easily  handled.  The  amateur  who  makes  his  own  loses  rather 
than  gains.  To  make  this  fungicide  we  use  1  oz.  copper  sulphate  (blue 
stone)  and  a  little  over  1  oz.  of  hydrated  lime  to  1  gal.  of  water.  Dis- 
solve each,  the  lime  and  the  copper  sulphate,  in  a  quart  of  water  before 
mixing  the  two.    It  is  better  to  have  too  much  Ume  than  too  little. 

Ammoniacal  Copper  Carbonate.  This  is  used  for  the  same  purpose 
as  Bordeaux  mixture  but  is  not  quite  as  effective.  It  does  not  leave  a 
precipitate  upon  the  fob'age.  To  make  a  small  quantity,  dissolve  5 
drams  of  copper  carbonate  in  as  much  ammonia  as  is  needed  (usually 
one  pint).  This  stock  solution,  if  bottled,  will  keep.  It  is  sufficient 
to  make  10  gals,  of  spray  when  water  is  added. 

PROPAGATION 

ONE  of  the  most  fascinating  things  of  a  garden  is  the  propagation 
of  our  favorites,  whereby  we  may  increase  the  number  of  plants 
to  be  set  in  other  parts  of  the  garden.    We  always  require  a  few 
extra  plants  to  fill  in  bare  spots  and  we  must  have  some  young  plants 
to  give  to  our  flower  loving  friends. 

Perennials  may  be  easily  propagated  from  seed,  division,  cuttings 
and  layers. 

SOWING  SEED 

Annuals  are  raised  from  seed  because  it  is  the  simplest  method  of 
raising  the  plants,  and  for  the  same  reason  some  perennials  are  also 


24 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


grown  from  seed.  However,  many  perennials  are  not  propagated  by 
this  method  because  they  are  hybrid  in  nature  and  do  not  come  true 
to  the  variety.  Peonies,  Irises,  Phloxes  and  scores  of  others  are  failures 
when  grown  from  seed,  except  for  those  who  are  interested  in  seeing 
just  what  the  result  might  be.  Furthermore,  it  takes  a  long  time  to 
get  some  perennials  to  bloom  when  raised  from  seed. 

Nevertheless,  for  the  scores  which  are  not  good,  there  are  hun- 
dreds of  perennials  which  are  highly  successful. 

TIME  TO  SOW 

In  order  that  we  may  have  large  plants  for  our  gardens,  the  seeds 
are  best  sown  in  May,  June  or  July,  unless  otherwise  noted  in  subse- 
quent notes  under  the  alphabetical  list.  Certain  plants  make  little 
growth  when  sown  late;  certain  others  germinate  slowly.  Gaillardias, 
Shasta  Daisies,  Chinese  Larkspur,  Platycodon,  Hibiscus,  Iceland 
Poppy,  Lychnis  and  some  other  perennials  bloom  the  first  year  from 
seed  if  sown  in  early  Spring;  most  other  perennials  do  not. 

Forget-me-nots,  EngUsh  Daisies,  Hollyhocks,  Oriental  Poppy, 
Sweet  WilUams  and  Pansies  are  best  sown  in  August,  otherwise  the 
plants  are  apt  to  become  too  large  for  convenient  handhng  in  the 
Spring. 

THE  WAY  TO  SOW 

Those  persons  who  would  raise  perennials  from  seed  should  have  a 
coldframe.  The  well  prepared  soil  in  the  frame  should  be  several  inches 
above  the  soil  outside  the  frame  so  that  the  frame  may  have  perfect 
drainage.  After  sowing  the  seed  thinly  in  rows  it  should  be  covered 
with  sand,  leafmold  or  fine  soil,  the  depth  of  covering  to  depend  upon 
the  size  of  the  seed.  Fine  seed  should  be  covered  with  a  piece  of  burlap 
but  no  soil.    Large  seeds  may  be  safely  covered  twice  their  diameter. 


Perennials  in  a  coldframe. 


PROPAGATION  25 

\\ater  the  frame  with  a  sprmkliiig  can.  Cover  the  frame  with  the 
sash  and  shade  it  with  cloth  or  whitewash.  Raise  the  sash  a  few  inches 
when  the  smi  is  bright.  According  to  the  species  the  seed  will  ger- 
minate in  from  four  days  to  several  months. 

CARE  OF  SEEDLINGS 

Many  of  the  seedlings  will  be  very  small  but  if  they  are  crowded 
they  should  be  transplanted  when  they  have  produced  a  couple  of 
leaves.  Allowing  the  sash  to  remain  closed  during  hot  weather,  keep- 
ing them  shaded  on  dull  days,  and  letting  the  seedlings  stand  too  closely 
will  result  in  damping-off,  a  disease  very  destructive  to  young  seedhngs. 
The  smaUer  sort  of  seedhngs  and  those  of  the  less  hardy  species  of 
plants  should  be  transplanted  to  another  part  of  the  frame  so  that  they 
stand  3  inches  to  5  inches  apart.  The  seedhngs  which  are  large,  rapid 
growing  and  hardy  may  be  transplanted  to  the  open  soil  where  they 
remain  for  the  Winter,  providing  this  is  done  before  September. 

The  hot  days  of  Summer  will  necessitate  frequent  watering  of  the 
seedlings.    Let  the  watering  be  thorough. 

DIVIDING  PERENNIALS 

Usually  perennials  are  more  easily  propagated  by  division  than  by 
any  other  means.  This  is  true  of  certain  of  the  more  rampant  growers, 
especially  the  hardy  Asters,  the  perennial  Sunflowers,  Heleniums,  Achil- 
leas,  Roltonias,  Hardy  Chrysanthemums,  Shasta  Daisies  and  Sweet  Wil- 
hams.  Certain  other  perennials  are  impatient  of  being  moved  and 
seem  to  thrive  for  years  without  being  disturbed;  namely,  Peonies, 
Gypsophila,  Bleeding  Heart,  Lupinus,  Papaver,  Gas  Plant,  Asclepias, 
Adonis,  Anemone  japonica  and  Tritomas.  On  the  other  hand,  Phlox, 
Iris,  Columbines,  Delphiniums  and  such  other  medium-rapid  pro- 
ducers should  be  divided  every  three  or  four  years,  depending  upon 
the  appearance  of  the  clumps.  Transplant  them  when  the  crowns 
become  woody  or  hollow  and  the  flowers  smaller. 

Generally  speaking,  the  early  flowered  sorts  should  be  divided  in 
August  and  the  later  blooming  plants  in  the  early  Spring.  Because 
the  new  roots  of  Irises  and  Peonies  are  produced  in  early  Fall,  it  seems 
wise  to  transplant  these  two  old  favorites  during  July  or  August. 

Delphiniums  require  careful  manipulation  when  they  are  divided, 
for  each  division  should  have  a  good  piece  of  crown  and  some  roots. 
Difficult  subjects  should  have  the  soil  washed  from  the  roots,  so  that 
the  cuts  may  be  made  in  the  proper  places. 

In  dividing  perennials  it  is  not  necessary  that  they  be  separated 
into  extremely  small  pieces,   otherwise  their  garden  value  will  be 


26  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

destroyed.  However,  small  sinj^le-eye  divisions  may  be  set  about  a 
foot  apart  to  form  a  good  sized  clump,  in  which  case  the  plants  usually 
present  the  same  appearance  as  before,  except  that  the  flowers  will  be 
larger. 

LAYERS 

A  modification  of  dividing  perennials  is  to  prepare  them  for  division  < 
by  covering  the  plants  with  sandy  soil  or  clean  sand.  It  is  not  neces- 
sary to  bury  the  plants,  but  merely  fill  in  between  the  spaces  where 
the  branches  have  become  long,  traihng  and  leggy.  We  have  in  mind 
especially  the  Grass  Pinks,  Sweet  William,  Campanula  carpatica  and 
Arabis. 

CUTTINGS 

Few  amateur  gardeners  avail  themselves  of  a  method  of  increasing 
perennials  by  cuttings.  When  certain  of  the  plants  are  6  inches  or 
8  inches  tall,  the  tops  may  be  cut  out  and  placed  in  a  box  of  sand  to 
root.  Gutting  back  the  plants  in  this  way  is  not  usually  detrimental 
to  them  but  causes  branching.  Care  need  be  exercised  that  there  are 
several  eyes  below  the  cut  so  that  the  parent  plant  can  continue  its 
growth.    The  easiest  sorts  that  may  be  grown  in  this  way  are: 

Arabis  (Rock  Cress)  Hollyhock 

AscLEPiAS  (Butterfly  Weed)  Iberis  (Candytuft) 

Gerastium     (Snow-on-the-Moun-      Lobelia 

gSanthemum  Lythrum  (Loosestrife) 

Clematis  (Virgin's  Bower)  Perennial  Sunflower 

Dahlia  Phlox 

Delphinium  Pinks 

Helenium  (Helen's  Flower)  Potentilla  (Five  Finger) 


FOR  SHADY  PLAGES 


27 


FOR  SHADY  PLACES 

IN  every  garden  there  is  some  shady  spot  in  which  we  try  to  grow 
flowers.  Lists  might  be  suggested  which  would  include  certain 
plants  which  prefer  shade,  or  those  which  tolerate  shade,  or  those 
which  prefer  shade  but  an  abundance  of  moisture,  or  those  which  require 
sun  in  early  Spring,  but  wliich  may  be  shaded  later  in  the  year  by  .sur- 
rounding plants  which  grow  and  overtop  these  Spring  flowers. 

It  must  be  noted,  however,  that  few  plants  wifl  grow  in  dense 
shade:   siin  for  a  part  of  the  day  seems  necessary  for  obtaining  blooms. 

Usually  shade  is  accompanied  by  poor  and  a  very  dry  soil, 
due  to  the  presence  of  trees  which  drink  up  every  drop  of  available 
moisture.  Beech,  Elm,  Maple  and  other  surface-rooting  trees  are  the 
worst  ofl'enders.  Oak  and  Hickory  roots  go  deeper  and  there  is 
usually  less  trouble  in  growing  plants  beneath  them.  Because  we  are 
laboring  under  these  difliculties,  it  is  wise  to  remove  some  of  the  sur- 
face roots  and  prepare  the  soil  thoroughly. 


Plaintain   or   Day   Lilies   about   a   pool.     These   flowers   are   especially   attractive 
in  shady  places.      (See  page  29.) 


28 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


M 


Attractive   groupings   of   perennials;   iipper   section,   a   shady    corner;   loiver   section, 

a  Spring  corner;  center  section,  a  group  of  plants  of  hearty  character  blooming  in 

the  late  Summer  and  Fall. 


FOR  SHADY  PLACES  29 

GARDEN  FLOWERS  FOR  SHADY  PLACES 

*Dry  soil.  xxCiood,  refined  ground  cover. 

tAverage  moist  soil.  -Spring    flowering   native   plants, 

•i Boggy,  very  moist  soil.  ,  ,.  ,     , 

o Partial  shade.  "^^  which  deserve  a  place  in 

xG round  cover  in  rough  places.  the  garden. 


foALKANET   {Anchiisa   italica).     Deep  blue. 
foANEMONE,  Japanese  {Anemone  japonica).     White,  pink. 
t*oAsTER,  Hardy  {Aster,  various).     Purple,  white. 

foBALLOON  Flower,  Chinese  {Platycodon  grandijlorum).  Blue,  white. 
lltoBEE  Balm  {Monarda,  various).     Scarlet,  purple. 
*xxBisHOp's    Weed    {.Egopodium    Podagraria).      Variegated    leaves. 
*o-Black-eyed   Susan    {Rudbeckia,   several).     Yellow,   d  ark   center. 

foBiEEDiNG  Heart  {Dicenlra  eximia  and  specfabilis.     Carmine. 
*xxBugle  {Ajuga,  various).     Purple,  pink. 
*oGandytuft  {Iberis  senipervirens).     White. 
f-CARDiNAL  Flower  (Lobelia  cardinnlis).     Cardinal. 
*-CoLU]MBiNE  {Aquilegia,  various).     Various. 
*oCrane's-bill  {Geranium  sanguineum).     Rosy-purple. 

*CoRAL  Bells  {Heuchera  sanguinea).    Coral,  white. 
to(]owsLip,  English  {Primula,  various).     Various. 
foDAY  Lily  {Funkia  subcordata  and  others).     Purple,  white. 
*o-Evening  Primrose,  Missouri  {(Enothera  missouriensis).    Yellow. 
Ferns  : 

t     Christmas  Fern  (Aspidium  acrostichoides). 
t     Cinnamon  Fern  {Osmunda  cinnamomea). 
t     Climbing  Fern  {Lygodium  palmatum). 

*  Interrupted  Fern  {Osmunda  Clayloniana) . 
t     Lady  Fern  {Asplenium  Filix-fcemina). 

t     Maidenhair  Fern  {Adiantum  pedatum) 

*  Polypody',  Common   {Polypodium  vulgare). 
t     Royal  Fern  {Osmunda  regalis). 

*  Sensitive  Fern  {Onoclea  sensibilis). 

*  Spleenwort,  Ebony  {Asplenium  ebeneum). 
^-Forget-me-not  (A/yo50^is  palustris).     Light  blue. 
foFoxGLOVE  {Digitalis  purpurea).     Lavender  rose. 
foGAs  Plant  {Dictamnus  albus).     Rosy  purple,  white. 

*toGAY  Feather,  Kansas  {Liatris  pycnostachya) .     Rosy  purple. 
IGlobe  Flower  (Trollius  europxus).    Golden  yellow. 
*GoLDENROD  {SoUdago  CcPsia  and  others).     Yellow. 
\  or  *-Harebell  {Campanula  rotund ijolia).     Blue. 
foKiNG's  Spear  {Asphodeline  lutea) .    Yellow. 
IoLemon  Lily  (Ilemerocallis  flava).     Lemon. 
fxxLiLY-OF-THE-VALLEY  {Convallaria  majalis).     White. 
tIfoLoosESTRiFE,  PuRPLE  {Lyt/irum  Salicaria).     Purple. 

IoMaltese  Cross  {Lychnis  chalcedonica) .     Scarlet. 
tlloMARSH  Mallow  (Ilibiscus  moscheutos).     Various. 
t*-MEADOW^  Rue  {TItalictrum,  various).-    Purplish  white. 
fMoNKSHOOD  {Aconiium,  various).     Violet,  yellow,  white. 
xxf-Moss  Pink  {Phlox  subulala).    Rosy  lavender. 
^^foMuLLEiN  Pink  {Lychnis  coronaria).     Bright  rose. 


30 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


foPANSY  (Viola  tricolor).    Various. 

foPEA,  Perennial  {Laihyrus  latifolius).     Rose,  white. 

foPHEASANT's  Eye  (Adouis,  various).     Yellow. 

JoRed-hot  Poker  {Kniphofia  alooides).     Bright  scarlet. 

foSx.  John's  Wort  {Hypericum,  various).    Yellow. 
*xxSpeedwell  {Veronica  rupeslris).     Violet. 
*Spir/EA  {Spirsea  Aruncus).    White. 

foSpiR^A  {Spiraea  palmata).     Crimson. 
*xxSpurge,  Mountain  {Pachysandra  terminalis).     White. 
xxfo-STONECROP  {SeduTTi,  various).     Yellow,  pink,  white. 

f-SwEET  William,  Wild  {Phlox  divaricaia).     Lavender. 

o-Trillium  {Trillium,  various).     White,  red. 
of-ViOLET  {Viola,  various).     Purple,  yellow,  white, 
fo- Virginia  Cowslip  {Mertensia  virginica).     Blue. 

toWooDRUFF,  Sweet  {Asperula  odoraia).     White. 

SPRING  WILD  FLOWERS 

A  characteristic  of  the  once  wooded  areas  of  our  country  is  the 
unending  display  of  Spring  flowers.    Some  persons  have  wondered  why 

we  have  many  more 
wild  Spring  flowers 
than  Summer  blooms. 
These  dainty  gems 
must  hasten  to  pro- 
duce their  blossoms 
before  the  trees  over- 
head shade  them  too 
much.  Most  of  this 
class  of  plants  do  not 
retain  their  foliage 
through  the  season 
and  are  reaUy  un- 
sightly or  actually 
disappear  from  view 
in  June  or  July. 
Every  garden  of  any 
size  should  make 
room  for  a  bed  of  wild 
flowers.  Lucky  is  he 
whose  property  in- 
cludes a  bit  of  the 
natural  forest  and 
wealthy  beyond  esti- 
mation is  he  who  has 
a  small    trickling 

Tiarella  cordifolia,    the  Foam  Flower.  Stream.       FloWCrS    are 


FOR  SHADY  PLAGES  31 

never  more  enjoyable  than  early  in  Spring.  After  the  Winter  we  look 
forward  to  these  denizens  of  the  woods.  The  true  lover  of  wild  flowers 
does  not  devastate;  by  digging  some  from  the  forest,  he  preserves  them. 

WILD  FLOWERS 

Spring  blooming  native  plants  which  require  the  sun  in  Spring 
but  which  will  tolerate  shade  in  Summer.    Excellent  for  naturalizing. 

fANEMONE,  Rue Anemonella  thalictroides 

JAnemone,  Wood Anemone  quinquefolia 

Baiveberry Adxa  alba,  rubra 

fBELLwoRT Uvularia  grandiflora 

fxxoBLOOD  Root Sanguinaria  canadensis 

IBlue-Eyed  Grass Sisyrinchium  angusiifolium 

fBLUET Houstonia  coerulea 

fGoNTONiA Clintonia  borealis 

GoHOCH,  Blue Caulophyllum  thalictroides 

fxGoLx's  Foot Tussilago  Farfara 

*oCrane's-bill '. Geranium  maculatum 

tlxGREEPiNG  Jenny Lysimachia  nummularia 

fDoG-TooTH  Violet Erythronium  americanum 

Dutchman's  Breeches Dicentra  Cucullaria 

Foam  Flower Tiarella  cordifolia 

fGiNGER,  Wild Asarum  canadense 

xfGROUND  Ivy Nepeta  Glechoma 

fHEPATicA Hepatica    triloba,    acutiloba 

JJack-in-a-Pulpit Arissema  triphyllum 

foJACOB's  Ladder Polemonium  reptans 

^Lady  Slipper,  Pink Cypripedium  acaule 

JLady  Slipper,  Yellow Cypripedium  pubescens 

*LuPiNE Lupinus  perennis 

^Marsh  Marigold Caltha  palustris 

May  Apple Podophyllum  peltaium 

MiTREwoRT Mitella  diphylla 

xxfMvRTLE,  Periwinkle Vinca  minor 

xPartridge  Berry Mitchella  repens 

*PiPSissEWA Chimaphila  umbellata 

*Saxifrage,  Early Saxifraga  virginiensis 

SraN  Leaf Pyrola,  various 

toSnooTiNG  Star Dodecatheon  Media 

Solomon's  Seal Polygonatum  biflorum 

Solomon's  Seal,  False Smilacina  racemosa 

fSguiRREL's  Corn Dicentra  canadensis 

^oSpiderwort Tradescantia  virginica 

Spring  Beauty Claytonia  virginica 

*Star  Grass Hypoxis  hirsuta 

TooTHWORT. Deniaria  diphylla 

ITrillium Trillium,  various 

II  fTuRTLEHEAD Chelonc  glabra 

JTwiN  Leaf Jeffersonia  diphylla 

fViOLET Viola,  various 

IxxoWater  Leaf Hydrophyllum 

tWiNDFLOWER Ancmone,  various 

Wood  Betony Pedicularis  canadensis 


32 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


THE  LISTS  OF  TWENTY-FIVES 

TWENTY-FIVE   PERENNIALS  FOR  DRY  PLACES 


Achillea  Millefolium  roseum 
(Rosy  Milfoil) 

Ajuga  genevensis  (Bugle) 

Anthemis  tinctoria  (Yellow  Mar- 
guerite) 

Asclepias  tuber  OS  a  (Butterfly 
Weed) 

Aster,  various  (Michaelmas  Daisy) 

CALLIRHOJi     INVOLUCRATA      (Poppy 

Mallow) 

Cassia  ]vl^.rilandica  (American 
Senna) 

Coreopsis  lanceolata  grandi- 
FLORA  (Tickseed) 

DiANTHUs  BARBATUS  (Sweet  Wil- 
liam) 

EcHiNOPS  RiTRO  (Globe  Thistle) 

Euphorbia  corollata  (Flowering 
Spurge) 


Gypsophila  paniculata  (Baby's 
Breath) 

Helianthus,  various  (Perennial 
Sunflower) 

Hemerocallis,  various  (Day  Lily) 

Iris,  Bearded 

Leontopodium  alpinum  (Edelweiss) 

Lychnis  coronaria  (Mullein  Pink) 

Oenothera  missouriensis  (Mis- 
souri Evening  Primrose) 

Opuntia,   various   (Hardy   Cactus) 

Papaver  nudicaule  (Iceland 
Poppy) 

Phlox,  Hardy 

RUDBECKIA        LAGINIATA         (Goldcn 

Glow) 
Statice  latifolia  (Sea  Lavender) 
Veronica  rupestris  (Speedwell) 
Yucca       filamentosa       (Adam's 

Needle) 


TWENTY-FIVE   PERENNIALS   FOR  WET  PLACES 

*May  be  grown  in  the  water. 


*Arundo  Donax  (Giant  Reed) 
Asclepias     incarnata      (Swamp 

Milkweed) 
BoLTONiA  ASTER oiDES  (Starwort) 
*Caltha  palustris  (Marsh  Mari- 
gold) 
P^uLALiA  JAPONICA   (Zebra  Grass) 

EUPATORIUM  PERFOLIATUM    (BonC- 

set) 

EUPATORIUM  PURPUREUM  (JoC  Pye 

Weed) 
Ferns 

Onoclea   sensibilis    (Sensitive 
Fern) 

Osmunda  regalis  (Royal  Fern) 

OsMUNDA  cinnamomea  (Cinna- 
mon Fern) 
Helenium    autumnale     (Helen's 

Flower) 
Hibiscus    moscheutos    (Marsh 

Mallow) 


*1ris  pseudacorus  (European  Yel- 
low Flag) 
I.  siBiRicA  (Siberian  Iris) 
*     I.     VERSICOLOR     (Native    Blue 

Flag) 
Lobelia     cardinalis     (Cardinal 
Flower) 
L.  SYPHILITICA  (Great  Lobelia) 
Lysimachia    clethroides     (Pep- 

perbush  Loosestrife) 
Lythrum       salicaria       (Purple 

Loosestrife) 
Myosotis  palustris  (Forget-me- 
not) 
*Pontederia     cordata     (Pickerel 

Weed) 
Ranunculus,  several  (Buttercup) 
*Sagittaria     latifolia      (Arrow- 
head) 
*Sarracenia    purpurea     (Pitcher 

Plant) 
*Typha  latifolia  (Gat- tail) 


THE   LISTS  OF  TWENTY-FIVES 


33 


TWENTY-FIVE  PERENNIALS  FOR  ROCK  GARDENS 


A.CHILLEA  TOMENTOSA   (Woolv  Mil- 
foil) 

Alyssum  saxatile  (Gold  Dust) 
Aquilegia,  various  (Columbine) 
Arabis  alpina  (Rock  Cress) 
Armeria  maritima  and  others  (Sea 

Thrift) 
Campanula    carpatica,  rotutvdi- 

FOLiA  (Harebells) 
Cerastium  tomentosum  (Snow-in- 

Sununer) 
Geranhjm,  various  (Crane's-biU) 
Geum  coccineum  (Avens) 
Heuchera  SAN  guinea  (Coral  Bells) 
Iberis   gibraltarica,   semper vir- 

ENS  (Candytuft) 
Iris     cristata,     pumila,     verna 

(Baby  Iris) 
Myosotis    alpestris,    sylvatica 

(Forget-me-not) 


OENOTHERA  missouriensis  (Mis- 
souri Evening  Primrose) 

Papaver  nudicaule  (Iceland 
Poppy) 

Phlox  am(ena,  divaricata,  subu- 

LATA  (Phlox) 

Plumbago  Larpent^e  (Leadwort) 
Primula,  various  (Primroses,  Cow- 
slips) 
Saponaria  ocymoides  (Soapwort) 
Sedum,  various  (Stonecrop) 
Statige  latifolia  (Sea  Lavender) 
Thalictrum,      various      (Meadow 

Rue) 
Tunica  Saxifraga  (Tunica) 
Veronica  incana,  longifolia,  re- 
pens,  RUPESTRis,  spiCATA  (Speed- 
Well) 
Viola  cornuta  (Tufted  Pansy) 


TWENTY-FIVE   BEST   PERENNIALS  FOR  CUT  FLOWERS 


Achillea    Millefolium    roseum 
(Rosy  Milfoil) 

A.  Ptarmica  (The  Peari) 
Anemone      japonica       (Japanese 

Anemone) 
Aster,    St.    Egwyn    (Michaehnas 

Daisy) 
Centaurea,  various  (Cornflowers) 
Chrysanthemum,  Hardy 
Chrysanthemum  maximum  (Shasta 

Daisy) 
Coreopsis    lance olata    grandi- 

flora  (Tickseed) 
Delphinium,  hybrids  (Larkspur) 
DiANTHus  barbatus    (Swect  Wil- 
liam) 

D.  plumarius  (Clove  Pink) 
Gaillakdia  grandiflora  (Blanket 

Flower) 
Gypsophila,        various        (Baby's 

Breath) 


Helenium    autumn  ale,    Riverton 
Beauty  (Helen's  Flower) 
H.    AUTUMNALE,    Rivertou    Gem 
(Helen's  Flower) 

Helianthus  multiflorus  (Hardy 
Sunflower) 

Iris,  various  (Flag) 

P^ONiA  (Peony) 

Physostegia    virginica    (False 
Dragon  Head) 

Pyrethrum  roseum  (Pink  Daisy) 

Rudbeckia,    various    (Coneflower) 

Salvia       azurea        grandiflora 
(Hardy  Blue  Sage) 

Sedum'spectabile^ (Showy  Stone- 
crop) 

Kniphofia  alooides  (Red-hot  Po- 
ker) ttk 

Veronica  longifolia  subsessilis 
(SpeedweU) 


TWENTY-FIVE   EDGING   PLANTS 

(Less  than  a  foot  tall.) 
-(Egopodium  Podagraria  (Bishop's      Alyssum    saxatile 


Weed) 
Ajuga  reptans  (Bugle) 


gompactum 
(Gold  Dust) 
Arabis  alpina  (Rock  Cress) 


34 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


TWENTY-FIVE  EDGING  PLANTS 

(Less  than  a  foot  tall.) 


Continued 


Armeria  maritima  (Thrift) 
Bellis  perennis  (I^nghsh  Daisy) 
Campanula  carpatica  (Carpathian 

Harebell) 
Cerastium    tomentosa    (Snow-in- 

Summer) 
Crucianella  stylosa  (Crosswort) 
DiANTHUS   BARBATUS    (Sweet   Wil- 
liam) 
DiANTHUS  PLUMARius  (Clove  Pink) 
Dicentra  eximia   (Plumed  Bleed- 
ing Heart) 
Festuca     glauca     (Blue     Fescue 
Grass) 


FiLiPENDULA    Ulmaria     (Meadow 

Sweet) 
Heuchera  sanguinea  (Coral  Bells) 
Iberis  SEMPER virens   (Caudutyft) 
Iris  pumila  (Dwarf  Iris) 
Papaver       nudicaule        (Iceland 

Poppy) 
Phlox  subulata  (Moss  Pink) 
Plumbago   Larpent/E    (Leadwort) 
Primula  veris  (Primrose) 
Sedum,  various  (Stone  Crop) 
Tunica  saxifraga  (Tunica) 
Veronica   incana    (Hoary   Speed- 

weU) 
Veronica  rupestris  (Rock  Speed- 
well) 


TWENTY-FIVE  TALLEST  PLANTS 

(All  are  above  five  feet  tall) 
Excellent  for  bold  foliage  and  flower  effects. 


AuTHyEA  ROSEA   (Hollyhock) 

Arundo  Donax  (Giant  Reed) 
Aster  nov^-angli^    (New   Eng- 
land Aster) 
Aster  tataricus  (Tartarian  Aster) 
BoccoNiA        cord  ATA        (Plumcd 

Poppy) 
BoLTONiA  asteroides  (Starwoit) 
Campanula  pyramidalis  (Chimney 

Bellflower) 
Cassia     marilandica      (American 
Senna) 

CePHALARIA     MONTANA      (Rouud- 

heads) 
CiMiciFUGA  RACEMOSA  (Bugbanc) 
Delphinium  (Larkspur) 
Eremurus  robustus  (King's  Spear) 
Erianthus      Ravenna       (Plume 

Grass) 
EulaCia  japonica  (Zebra  Grass) 


EuPATORiuM  PURPUREUM  (Joc  Pye 

Weed) 
Helenium     autumnale      (Helen's 

Flower) 
Helianthus  Maximilianii  (Maxi- 
milian's Sunflower) 

H.      ORGYALis      (Narrow-leaved 
Sunflower) 
Hibiscus      moscheutos      (Mallow 

Marvels) 
Polygonum       Sieboldii       (Giant 

Knotweed) 
RuDBECKiA    laciniata     (Goldcu 
Glow) 

R.  maxima  (Coneflower) 
Solidago  altissima,  various  (Gold- 

enrod) 
Valeriana     officinalis     (Garden 

Heliotrope) 
Yucca  filamentosa  (Adam's 

Needle) 


MORE  THAN  TWENTY-FIVE  BLUE  PERENNIALS 

Baptisia  tinctoria  (False  Indigo) . 
Deep  blue 


Anchusa  italica,  Dropmore  va- 
riety (Italian  Borage) .  Deep  blue 

Aquilegia  ccerulea  (Columbine). 
Deep  blue 

Aster  alpinus,  tataricus  and 
others.     Light  blue 


Campanula     carpatica,     persici- 

FOLiA,  Medium  and  others 
Centaurea  MONTANA.     Deep  blue 
Clematis  Davidiana.     Deep  blue 


THE   LISTS  OF  TWENTY-FIVES 


35 


MORE  THAN  TWENTY-FIVE  BLUE  PERENNIALS -Continued 


Delphinium  grandiflorum,  Gold 
iVledal  Hybrids,  Bellamoum, 
Deep  and  light  blue 

EcHiNOPS  RiTRO  (Globe  Thistle). 
Deep  blue 

EUPATORIUM       CtELESTINUM       (Mist 

Flower).    Medium  blue 

Eryngium  amethystinum  (Sea 
Holly).     Deep  blue. 

FuNKiA  ctERULEA  (Plantain  Lily). 
Deep  blue. 

Iris  Pallida  Dalmatica,  pumila 
and  others.     Deep  and  light  blue 

LiNUM  PERENNE  (Flax).     De-^p  blue 

Lobelia  syphilitica  (Blue  Lo- 
belia).    Deep  blue 

LupiNUS  POLYPHYLLUS  (Lupine). 
Deep  blue. 


Mertensia     virginica     (Virginian 

Cowslip).     Clear  blue 
Myosotis  (Forget-me-not).     Light 

blue 
Nepeta    GLEchoMA  (Ground  Ivy). 

Light  blue 
Plumbago    Larpent/E.       Deepest 

blue 

POLEMONIUM     CCERULEUM,     HUMILE 

and    REPTANS    (Jacob's    Ladder). 
Light  blue 

PULMONARIA      ANGUSTIFOLIA      AZU- 

REA.     Clear  blue 
ScABiosA    CAUCASICA      (PincushioH 

Flower).     Light  blue 
Tradescantia    VIRGINICA    (SpidcF- 

wort).     Deep  blue 
Veronica  rupestris,  spicata  and 

others    (Speedwell).     Deep    blue 


TWENTY-FIVE  MOST  USED  WHITE  PERENNIALS  FOR 
GARDEN   EFFECT 


Achillea     Ptarmica,     The     Pearl 

2  ft.,  July-Sept. 

Anemone  japonica,  Whirlwind 
(Japanese  Anemone),  2-3  ft..  Fall 

Aquilegia  vulgaris  nivea  (Col- 
umbine). 2  ft..  May 

Arabis  alpina  (Rock  Cress),  1  ft., 
April 

Aster  ptarmicoides  (Michaelmas 
Daisy),   VA  ft.,  Aug. 

Cerastium  tomentosum  (Snow-in- 
Summer),  9  in..  May 

Campanula  carpatica  alba  (Car- 
pathian Harebell),  9  in.,  June- 
Oct. 

C.      PERSICIFOLIA      ALBA      (Peach- 

bells),  2  ft.,  June-July 
Chrysanthemum    (Shasta    Daisy), 

VA  ft.,  May- July 
C.    ULIGINOSUM    (Giant    Daisy), 

4  ft.,  Sept.-Oct. 
Clematis  recta  (Virgin's  Bower), 

3  ft.,  June- July 
Delphinium    grandiflorum   alba 

(Chinese  Larkspur),   2  ft.,  July- 
Sept. 
Filipendula     ulmaria     (Meadow 
Sweet),  l}4  ft.,  June- July 


Funkia     grandiflora      (Plantain 

Lily),  VA  ft.,  July 
Gypsophila  paniculata  and  acu- 

tifolia  (Baby's  Breath),  2-3  ft., 

June-July 
Hibiscus     oculiroseus      (Marvel 

Mallow,    Crimson    Eye),    4    ft., 

July-Sept. 
Hollyhock,  6-8  ft.,  June 
Iberis  sempervirens  (Hardy  Can- 
dytuft), 1  ft.,  April 
Iris  sibirica.  Snow  Queen  (Siberian 

Iris),  3  ft.,  June 
Lysimachia    clethroides    (Loose- 
strife), 2  ft.,  July-Sept. 
Phlox    suffruticosa.    Miss    Lin- 

gard  (Hardy  Phlox),  3  ft.,  June 
Physostegia       virginica       alba 

(False     Dragon     Head),     3     ft., 

June-July 
Valeriana  officinalis  (Valerian), 

4  ft.,  June- July 
Veronica    virginica    (Speedwell), 

3-4  ft.,  July-Aug. 
Yucca       filamentosa       (Adam's 

Needle), :,4  ft.,  July 


36 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


TWENTY-FIVE   DAISY-LIKE   FLOWERS  OF  VARIOUS  COLORS 


Anthemis  tinctoria  (Yellow  Mar- 
guerite).   Lemon,  yellow 
Aster  l^vis  (Smooth-leaved  Aster) 
Lilac  lavender 
A.  NOViE-ANGLi^  (New  England 

Aster).     Purple 
A.  NOVi-BELGii,  St.  Egwyn.  Pink 

A.  pTARMicoiDES.    White. 
Bellis  perennis  (English  Daisy). 

Crimson  to  white 
BoLTONiA  ASTER oiDES  (False  Star- 
wort).     White 

B.  LATiSQUAMA  (False  Starwort). 
Pinkish  lavender 

Chrysanthemum  maximum  (Shasta 
Daisy).    White 

C.  uliginosum    (Giant   Daisy). 
White 

Coreopsis  lance olata  grandi- 
FLORA  (Tickseed).     Golden 

DoRONicuM,  various  (Leopard's- 
bane).     Golden 

Echinacea  purpurea  (Purple 
Coneflower).    Rosy  purple 


Erigeron,    various    (Fleabane). 

Rosy  purple  to  white 
Gaillardia      aristata      (Bleinket 

Flower).     Yellow  and  crimson 
Helenium   autumnale,    Riverton 
Gem  and  others.     Maroon  to 
gold 
H.   HooPESii    (Helen's  Flower). 
YeUow 
Helianthus  Maximilianh  (Maxi- 
milian's Sunflower).     Gold 
H.   ORGYALis   (Fine-leaved  Sun- 
flower).    Gold 
Heliopsis  scabra,  Excelsior  (Gold- 
en Sunflower).     Gold 
Inula     ensifolia     (Elecampane). 

YeUow 
Lepachys    pinnata    (Gray-headed 

Coneflower).     Yellow 
Pyrethrum  roseum  (Pink  Daisy). 

Crimson  to  white 
RuDBECKiA  maxima   (Coueflower). 
Gold 
R.  Newmanii  (Coneflower).  Gold, 
purple  cone 


TWENTY-FIVE   PERENNIALS  FOR  APRIL  BLOOM 


Adonis  amurensis  (Amoor  Pheas- 
ant's Eye) 
A.  VERNALis  (Spring  Pheasant's 
Eye) 
Alyssum  saxatile  (Gold  Dust) 
Arabis  alpina  (Rock  Cress) 

AUBRIETIA  DELTOIDEA  (PuFplc  Rock 

Cress) 

Bellis  perennis  (English  Daisy) 

Caltha   palustris    (Marsh   Mari- 
gold) 

Claytonia       virginica       (Spring 
Beauty) 

Daphne  Cneorum  (Garland  Flow- 
er) 

Dicentra     canadensis     (Squirrel 
Corn) 
D.     Gucullaria      (Dutchman's 
Breeches) 

DoRONicuM,     various     (Leopard'a 
Bane) 


Erythronium  americanum  (Yel- 
low Adder's  Tongue) 

Hepatica  triloba  (Hepatica) 

Iberis  sempervirens  (Hardy  Can- 
tuft) 

Iris  pumila  (Baby  Iris) 

Mertensia  virginica  (Virginia 
Cowshp) 

Papaver  nudicaule  (Iceland 
Poppy) 

Phlox  divaricata  (Wild  Sweet 
Wflliam) 

P.  SUBULATA  (Moss  Piuk) 

Primula,  various  (Cowshp,  Prim- 
rose) 

Sanguinaria  canadensis  (Blood- 
root) 

Saxifraga  cordifolia  (Saxifrage) 

Thalictrum  dioicum  (Meadow 
Rue) 

Trillium,  various  (Wake  Robin) 


THE   LISTS  OF  TWENTY-FIVES 


87 


TWENTY-FIVE   PERENNIALS   FOR  MAY  BLOOM 


Ajuga  rkptans  (Bugle) 
Alyssum  saxatilk  (GoM  DusI) 
Aquilegia,  various  (Columbine) 
Bellis  perennis  (English  Daisy) 
CoNVALLARiA  MAjALis  (Lily-of-the- 

Valley) 
DiANTHUs  BARBATUS    (Swcct  Wil- 
liam) 

D.  PLUMARius  (Glove  Pink) 

DiCENTRA    (DiELYTRA)    SPEGTABILIS 

(Bleeding  Heart) 
Epimedium,  various  (Bishop's  Hat) 
Helenium  Hoopesii  (Early  Helen's 

Flower) 
Iberis  sempervirens  (Hardy  Gan- 

dytuft) 


This  i«i,t)RKNTiNA   (Florentine   Iris) 

I.  INTERMEDIATE   VARS. 

I.  PUMILA  (Baby  Iris) 

I.  VERNA 

Mertensia     virginica     (Virginia 

Gowslip) 
Myosotis,  various  (Forget-me-not) 
OENOTHERA     FRUTicosA     (Evening 

Primrose) 
P^ONiA  M  OUT  AN  (Shrubby  Peony) 

POLEMONIUM     CCERULEUM     (JaCOb's 

Ladder) 
Primula,  various  (Gowslip) 
Pyrethrum  roseum  (Pink  Daisy) 
Sedum  acre  (Wall  Pepper) 
Trollius  europ^us  (Globe  Flow- 
er) 
Viola  tricolor  (Pansy) 


TWENTY-FIVE  PERENNIALS  FOR  JUNE  BLOOM 


Achillea    Millefolium    roseum 
(Rosy  Milfoil) 
A.  Ptarmica  (The  Pearl) 
A.  tomentosa  (Wooly  Yarrow) 

Campanula  Medium   (Canterbury 
BeUs) 
G,  persicifolia  (Peach  Bells) 

Chrysanthemum  maximum  (Shasta 
Daisy) 

Coreopsis    lance  ol  at  a    grandi- 
FLORA  (Tickseed) 

Delphinium,  various  (Hardy  Lark- 
spur) 

Dianthus  BARBATUS    (Sweet  Wil- 
liam) 
D.  PLUMARIUS  (Clove  Pink) 

DiCTAMNUS  ALBUS  (Gas  Plant) 


Digitalis,  various  (Foxglove) 

EcHiNOPS  Ritro  (Globe  Thistle) 

Geum  coccineum  (Avens) 

Hemerocallis,  various  (Day  Lily) 

Heuchera  sanguinea  (Coral  Bells) 

Hollyhock 

Iris,  bearded  (German  Iris) 

I.  siBiRiCA  (Siberian  Iris) 
Lychnis,  various  (Campion) 
Pentstemon,      various      (Bearded 

Tongue) 
Papayer       nudicaule       (Iceland 
Poppy) 

P.   orientals   (Oriental  Poppy) 
Peony 
Pyrethrum  roseum  (Pink  Daisy) 


TWENTY-FIVE  PERENNIALS  FOR  JULY  BLOOM 


Achillea  filipendulina    (Golden 
Yarrow) 
A.  Millefolium  roseum  (Rosy 

MilfoQ) 
A.  Ptarmica  (The  Pearl) 
Aconitum  napellus  (Monkshood) 

Anghusa   italica,    Dropmore   va- 
riety (Italian  Borage) 


Anthemis  tinctoria  (Yellow  Mar- 
guerite) 

Aruncus  SYLVESTER  (Spiraea) 

Chrysanthemum  maximum  (Shasta 
Daisy) 

Cassia  marilandica  (American 
Senna) 

Delphinium,  various  (Hardy  Lark- 
spur) 


38                     A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

TWENTY-FIVE  PERENNIALS  FOR  JULY  BLOOM— Continued 

Digitalis  purpurea   (Foxglove)  Lychnis,  various  (Campion) 

FiLiPENDULA     Ulmaria     (Meadow  Pentstemon,      various      (Bearded 

Sweet)  Tongue) 
Gaillardia      aristata      (Blanket  Phlox    suffruticosa    (Miss    Lin- 
Flower)  S^^") 
Geum  coccinuem  (Avens)  ^"^FlJwevT''^      '''"''"'       (Balloon 
Hemerocallis   Thunbergii    (Day  ScABmsI    caucasica     (Pincushion 

^"y''                                                  -  Flower) 

Heuchera  sanguinea  (Coral  Bells)  Stokesia   cyanea    (Stokes'    Aster) 

Hollyhock  Tradescantia    virginica    (Spider- 

Iris  L/EVIGAta  (Japanese  Iris)  wort) 

TWENTY-FIVE   PERENNIALS   FOR  AUGUST   BLOOM 

Achillea,  various  (see  July)  (Mil-  Heuchera  sanguinea  (Coral  Bells) 

foil)  Hibiscus     moscheutos      (Mallow 

Anthemis  tinctoria  (Yellow  Mar-  Marvels) 

guerite)  Liatris     pycnostachya     (Kansas 

Artemisia,     various     (Wormwood  Gay  Feather) 

and  others)  ^                    /ui       iri     n 

Boltonia  asteroides  (False  Star-  Linum  perenne  (Blue  Flax) 

wort)  Lobelia,  various 

Caryopteris  Mastacanthus  (Blue  Monarda      didyma       Cambridge 

Spir«a)  Scarlet,  (Bee  Balm) 

Coreopsis     LANCEOLATA     grandi-  p^^^^^   Hardy 

FLORA  (Tickseed)  >            j 

Delhipnium,  various  (Hardy  Lark-  Physostegia      virginica      (False 

spur)                                       '  Dragonhead) 

Eryngium     amethystinum      (Sea  Platycodon,      various       (BaUoon 

Holly)  Flower) 

FuNKiA,  various  (Plantain  Lily)  Scabiosa    caucasica     (Pincushion 

Gaillardia      aristata      (Blanket  Flower)                              ,„    i  u  . 

Flower)  Tritoma        uvularia        (Ued-hot 

Gypsophila    pantculata    (Baby's  Poker) 

Breath)  Tunica  saxifraga  (lunica) 

Heliopsis     Pitcheriana     (Golden  Veronica  longifolia  subsessilis 

Sunflower)  (Speedwell) 

TWENTY-FIVE  PERENNIALS  FOR   SEPTEMBER  BLOOM 

AcoNiTUM     autumnale      (Mouks-  Chelone  glabra  (Turtle  head) 

hood)  Cimicifuga      dahurica     (Virginia 

Anemone       japonica       (Japanese  Snakeroot) 

Anemone)  Eupatorium,  various  (Boneset  and 

Artemisia  lactiflora  (Mugwort)  others) 

Aster,  various  (Michaelmas  Daisy)  ,o^»-^*       /^Riar^Vot 

Boltonia  asteroides  (False  Star-  C^aillardia      aristata      (Blanket 

wort)  Flower) 

Chrysanthemum  maximum  (Shasta  Helianthus  Maximilianii   (Maxi- 

Daisy  varieties)  milian's  Sunflower) 


THE   LISTS  OF  TWENTY-FIVES 


30 


TWENTY-FIVE   PERENNIALS  FOR  SEPTEMBER  BLOOM 
Continued 


Hrlianthus  orgyalis  (Narrow- 
leaved  Sunflower) 

Helenium,  various  (Helen's  Flow- 
er) 

Heliopsis  Pitcheriana  (Golden 
Sunflower) 

Hibiscus  moscheutos  (Mallow- 
Marvels) 

Lathyrus  latifolius  (Perennial 
Pea) 

LlATRIS       PYCNOSTACHYA       (KaUsas 

Gay  Feather) 


Lobelia      cardinalis       (Cardinal 
Flower) 
L.  SYPHILITICA  (Great  Lobelia) 

Physostegia      virginica      (False 
Dragonhead) 

Polygonum,  various  (Knotweed) 

RuDBECKiA,    various    (Goneflower, 
Black-eyed  Susan) 

Sedum  spectabile   (Showy  Stone- 
crop) 

Stokesia  cyanea  (Stokes'  Aster) 

Veronica  longifolia  subsessilis 
(Speedwell) 


TWENTY-FIVE  PERENNIALS  BLOOMING  AFTER  FROST 


AcoNiTUM  Fischeri  (Monkshood) 

Anemone  japonica  (Japanese 
Anemone) 

Aster,  various  (Michaelmas  Daisy) 

BoLTONiA  ASTEROiDES  (False  Star- 
wort) 

Callirhoe  involucrata  (Poppy 
Mallow) 

Chrysanthemum,  Hardy  sorts 

Daphne  Cneorum  (Garland  Flow- 
er) 

Delphinium  grandiflorum  (Lark- 
spur) 

Dianthus  latifolius  atrococ- 
ciNEUS  (Everblooming  Sweet  Wil- 
liam) 

Echinacea  purpurea  (Purple 
Goneflower) 

Eupatorii'M  C(ELEstinum  (Hardy 
Ageratuin) 


Gaillardia      aristata      (Blanket 

Flower) 
Helianthus  Maximilianii   (Max- 
imilian's Sunflower) 

H.    orgyalis   (Fine-leaved   Sun- 
flower) 
Lathyrus    latifolius    (Perennial 

Pea) 
Phlox,  Hardy  sorts 
Plumbago  Larpent^  (Lead  Plant) 
Polygonum  amplexicaule  (Knot- 
weed) 
Salvia  azurea  grandiflora  (Blue 
Sage) 

S.  farinacea 

S.  uliginosa 
SoLiDAGO,  various  (Goldenrod) 
Stokesia  cyanea  (Stokes'  Aster) 
Tritoma        uvularia        (Red-hot 

Poker) 
Viola  cornuta  (Tufted  Pansy) 


40  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 

Achillea— Milfoil,  Yarrow 

The  Achilleas  have  proven  themselves  some  of  the  most  desirable 
plants  for  the  garden,  mainly  because  of  their  exceedingly  free,  yet 
graceful  habits  of  growth.  They  range  in  color  from  white  to  cerise, 
pink  and  yellow,  and  are  often  combined  with  silvery  white  foliage. 

The  species  Achillea  Ptarmica  flore-pleno,  The  Pearl,  has  double 
flowers  borne  in  dense  heads  of  purest  white.  It  somewhat  resembles 
the  pompon  Chrysanthemums.  Boule  de  Neige  is  not  quite  as  large 
as  The  Pearl,  but  the  centers  of  the  flowers  are  fuller  and  this  makes  it 
appear  of  purer  color.  Perry's  White  has  much  larger  and  more  com- 
pact blooms  than  The  Pearl,  some  of  the  flowers  measuring  1  inch 
across. 

A.  Millefolium  is  the  common  Yarrow,  but  its  variety  A.  roseum 
has  handsome  pink  flowers  and  feathery  foliage. 

The  Wooly  Milfoil  {A.  tomeniosa)  and  the  Golden  or  Fern-leaved 
Yarrow  {A.  Filipendulina  or  Eupalorium)  are  yellow  flowered  sorts; 
the  former  grows  but  a  foot  tall,  the  latter  attains  a  height  of  4  to  5  feet. 

Uses.  AU  of  the  AchiUeas  are  good  to  use  as  cut  flowers  and  for 
the  border.  The  Pearl  is  especially  good  in  cemeteries  because  it  takes 
care  of  itself  in  the  grass.  They  are  often  used  in  landscape  work 
against  a  background  of  shrubbery  and  some  of  the  dwarfer  types  are 
used  in  rockeries. 

Culture.  They  are  very  easy  to  grow;  in  fact  they  grow  so 
rapidly  that  the  plants  should  be  divided  and  reset  each  Spring.  Any 
soil  wiU  do  although  they  thrive  best  in  rich,  weU  watered  soil  where 
plenty  of  sunshine  is  available.  Some  of  the  taller  Yarrows  need  a 
little  support.  This  is  best  given  by  sticking  a  few  twiggy  branches 
into  the  soil,  in  which  case  the  stems  of  the  Yarrow  are  held  up  nicely. 

Propagation.  If  the  seeds  are  sown  early,  the  plants  will  bloom 
the  first  year.  The  large  flowering  clumps  should  be  divided  either 
in  the  Spring  or  Fall. 


NOTEWORTHY   PERENNIALS  41 


Aconitum — Monkshood,  Wolfsbane,  Helmet 
Flower 

Under  trees,  in  woodlands  and  even  in  semi-wild  gardens,  the 
Aconitums,  when  once  established,  enhance  the  statehness  and  grandeur 
of  a  place  as  only  a  plant  with  tall  spikes  of  cool  blue  flowers  can.  The 
flowers  themselves  are  showy,  shaped  like  a  helmet  or  hood,  from  which 
the  common  name  Monkshood  is  derived.  The  leaves  are  large  and 
lustrous  green,  forming  a  dense  mat,  which  throws  long,  compact  stalks 
of  white,  blue,  violet-blue,  white  and  Hlac  and  yeUow  flowers.  They 
grow  from  3  feet  to  6  feet  tall  and  bloom  from  June  or  July  until 
November. 

Species.  The  coimnon  Monkshood  {Aconitum  Napellus)  has  large, 
dark  blue  flowers  and  grows  5  feet  to  6  feet  high.  A  variety  of  this  one 
has  white  flowers  with  flesh-colored  edges  and  another  has  decided  pink 
markings  on  it.  A.  N.  bicolor  has  white  and  blue  flowers.  Wolfsbane 
(A.  Lycodonum)  blooms  in  June  and  July,  is  4  feet  high  and  has  soft 
yellow  flowers.  A.  Wilsonii  blooms  in  September  with  spikes  of  pale 
blue  flowers  growing  6  feet  taU.  A.  Fischeri  is  the  last  one  to  bloom. 
It  is  only  3  feet  taU,  has  pale  blue  flowers  and  blooms  in  October. 

Uses.  The  Monkshoods  are  planted  among  shrubbery  and  in 
borders,  especiaUy  in  combination  with  Madonna  Lihes,  white  Phlox 
and  Shasta  Daisies.  Most  of  the  varieties  are  valuable  to  fill  in  vacant 
spaces  in  the  garden  when  the  earlier  blooming  plants  have  past. 
They  are  excellent  for  naturahzing  in  a  woods.  Since  the  roots  are 
poisonous,  one  should  be  careful  to  avoid  planting  them  near  a  vege- 
table garden  where  they  might  be  mistaken  for  another  plant,  or  where 
children  could  get  to  them.  The  efl'ect  of  the  glossy  leaves  is  very 
striking,  especiaUy  of  A.  Fischeri.  If  undisturbed  in  the  woods,  they 
wiU  naturalize  themselves  very  easily.  Aconitums  should  always  be 
planted  in  masses. 

Culture.  Aconitums  grow  in  almost  any  good  garden  soil,  either 
in  sun  or  partial  shade.  When  the  ground  is  being  prepared  for  plant- 
ing, one  should  dig  deeply  and  use  plenty  of  well-decayed  cow  manure. 
Good  culture  and  hberal  feeding  add  greatly. 

Propagation.  It  is  a  rather  slow  process  to  raise  them  from 
seed  since  it  takes  twenty  days  for  the  seed  to  germinate.  However, 
they  are  easily  propagated  by  division  of  the  roots.  They  grow  best 
when  left  undisturbed  for  years. 


42 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Adlumia — Mountain  Fringe,  Allegheny  Vine, 
Climbing  Fumitory 

This  dainty  biennial  vine,  native  as  it  is  in  our  own  country,  is 
little  known.  The  leaves  are  fme^and  resemble  the  fohage  of  a  Maiden- 
hair fern.  These  plants  are  related  to  the  Bleeding  Heart  and  Dutch- 
man's Breechesj^and  the^flowers,  which  are  white  or  purphsh,  are 

tubular  and  unmis- 
takably resemble  the 
Bleeding  Heart,  al- 
though they  are  tiny. 
Adlumia  fungosa 
{cirrhosa)  is  the  only 
species    cultivated. 

Uses.  Where 
gracefulness  is  wanted 
in  a  vine,  the  Adlu- 
mia supplies  the  need. 
It  is  effectively  plant- 
ed at  the  base  of  an 
evergreen  tree  upon 
which  it  can  climb. 
The  growth  is  so 
slender  and  the  foli- 
age so  light  that  there 
is  no  danger  that  the 
shade  which  it  casts 
will  harm  the  tree  in 
any  way.  It  merely 
casts  a  veil  of  loveli- 
ness over  a  portion  of 
the  evergreen.  It 
may  be  used  for  trel- 
Kses  and  arbors  of 
all   sorts   because   it   attains   a   height   of  15   feet. 

Culture  and  Propagation.  The  seed  is  sown  in  early  Spring. 
Generally  the  plants  remain  low  and  bushy  for  the  first  year.  The 
second  year  they  grow  rapidly,  produce  an  abundance  of  seed  and  then 
die.  Fortunately  the  seeds  self-sow  and  when  one  has  started  the 
Adlumias,  they  generally  persist  year  after  year  from  volunteer  plants. 


The  Allegheny  Vine  or  Adlumia,  a  vine    of    extreme 
grace. 


NOTEWORTHY   PERENNIALS 


43 


The  plants  do  not  tolerate  open,  windswept  places  and  enjoy  a 
rich,  rather  moist  soil,  and  are  best  when  not  exposed  to  the  full  sun 
all  day. 

The  seeds  are  best  sown  where  they  are  to  grow,  as  the  plants 
transplant  witii  difficulty. 

Adonis — Birdseye,  Pheasant's  Eye 

h  is  difficult  to  find  a  bright  flowered  plant  which  blooms  as  early 
as  does  the  Adonis.  The  flowers  are  a  bright  and  deep  yellow,  resem- 
bling large  Buttercups 
with  finely  cut,  rather 
ornamental  fohage. 
Adonis  amurensis  is 
the  first  sort  to  bloom 
followed  by  A.  ver- 
nalis  (see  illustra 
tion)  and  A.  pyre- 
naica.  The  first  sort 
blooms  in  April,  and 
the  last  in  May  or 
June.  All  the  sorts 
grow  about  1  foot 
tall.  Some  of  the  an- 
nual sorts  are  Au- 
tumn   blooming. 

Uses.  Adonis  is 
especially  good  to  use 
in  rock  gardens  or  in 
the   border. 

Culture.  Any 
good  light  soil  will  do 
and  they  will  grow 
either  in  sun  or  shade, 
but  partial  shade  is 
preferred. 

Propagation. 
The,  best  way  is  by 
division  of  the  roots. 
This  should  be  done  in  August.  R  is  a  rather  slow  method  by  seed  as 
it  takes  from  three  to  four  years,  after  transplanting,  for  this  flower  to 
show  its  true  beauty.  One  may  readily  see  that  this  plant  does  not 
enjoy|being  moved. 


Adonis,  not  a  gypsy,  for  it  does  not  like  to  be  moved. 


44  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


TEgopodium — Bishop's  Weed,  Goat  Weed 

Wherever  one  goes,  through  many  gardens  and  even  in  some 
woods  this  green  and  yellow  variegated  plant  has  spread  its  roots 
until  it  has  almost  come  to  be  considered  a  troublesome  weed  by  many 
people,  although  in  its  place  it  is  of  great  value.  The  white  flower  is 
rather  inconspicuous  and  does  not  show  up  well  against  the  light 
colored  leaves,  .^gopodium  Podagraria  is  a  small  creeping  plant  with 
white  margined  leaves. 

Uses.  The  Bishop's  Weed  makes  a  beautiful  border  for  a  bed  of 
shrubs  or  flowers,  if  it  is  not  allowed  to  spread  too  freely.  It  grows  to 
best  advantage  when  used  to  cover  waste  ground  or  shady  places 
where  grass  will  not  grow.  It  is  well  used  in  the  narrow  strips  of  soil 
between  the  foundation  wall  and  a  sidewalk. 

Culture.    It  thrives  in  any  kind  of  soil. 

Propagation.    By  seeds,  and  division. 

Ajuga — Bugle  Flower 

For  creeping  over  the  soil  in  shaded  places  the  Bugle  Flower  is 
excellent.  Two  sorts  are  commonly  catalogued.  Ajuga  reptans  rubra 
has  deep  purplish-blue  flowers  and  purplish  leaves  and  is  prostrate  in 
habit;  A.  genevensis  is  more  upright  in  growth  and  bears  flowers  vary- 
ing in  color  from  duU  red  to  white  and  blue.  There  is  a  variegated 
form  of  the  Bugle  Flower  in  which  the  leaves  are  mottled  with  yeUow. 
They  flower  in  May. 

Use.  It  is  an  excellent  carpet  plant  and  is  often  used  in  ceme- 
teries. When  clipped  into  form  it  serves  as  an  excellent  edging  plant. 
Rockeries  are  often  planted  with  the  Ajuga.  The  plants  will  grow 
beneath  trees  where  a  lawn  is  difiicult  to  establish. 

Culture  and  Propagation.  The  plants,  being  of  a  spreading 
habit,  are  easily  divided  either  in  Spring  or  Fall.    Seeds  grow  readily. 


Alyssum — Madwort,  Basket  of  Gold,  Gold  Dust, 
Goldentuft,  Rockmadwort 

The  various  Alyssums  have  been  known  for  a  long  time  as  one  of 
the  best,  if  not  the  best,  edging  plant  for  borders  of  all  kinds.  They 
have  been  combined  with  Darwin  Tulips,  with  Rock  Cress  (Arabis) 
and  the  False  Wall  Cress  (Aubrietia),  and  also  with  shrubs,  such  as  the 


NOTEWORTHY   PERENNIALS  45 

Spiraeas  and  Hydrangeas.  Just  as  soon  as  Winlor  is  over,  the  Alyssum 
makes  preparations  to  grow,  and  within  a  month  it  presents  a  mass  of 
yellow  flowers.  It  is  in  bloom  from  early  Spring  through  June  and 
grows  from  4  inches  to  12  inches  high.  The  Basket  of  Gold  {Alyssum 
saxatile  compadum)  is  of  a  dwarf,  shrubby  nature  with  grayish-green 
leaves  and  dense  heads  of  briUiant  golden  yellow  flowers,  and  is  one 
of  the  best  yellow,  low  growing  plants  of  early  Spring.  A.  s.  variegatum 
has  variegated  fohage  with  yeUow  blotches  on  the  leaves.  When  this 
plant  has  finished  blooming,  it  becomes  a  showy,  ornamental  one. 
The  Madwort  (A.  rostratum)  has  golden-yellow  flowers,  grows  about 
12  inches  high  and  blooms  somewhat  later  than  the  others.  There  is 
also  a  double  form  with  yellow  flowers. 

Uses.  The  Alyssums  are  indispensable  plants  for  the  rock  gar- 
den, especiaUy  where  plants  are  needed  to  droop  over  the  rocks.  They 
are  planted  along  sidewalks  in  hanging  baskets,  and  as  groups  or  edges 
for  the  border.  The  annuals,  being  sweet  scented,  they  are  also  used 
for  cutting  purposes,  and  are  good  for  Winter  blooming. 

Culture.  They  are  very  easy  to  grow,  requiring  some  limestone, 
a  weU-drained  soil  and  a  suimy  situation.  They  spread  rapidly  and 
bloom  very  freely. 

Propagation.  Seeds  should  be  sown  in  August  and  wintered 
over  in  a  fight,  airy  position  until  large  enough  to  be  planted  out,  if 
good-sized  plants  are  desired  in  the  Spring.  The  double  sorts  cannot  be 
grown  from  seeds  and  must  be  propagated  through  cuttings.  The  roots 
of  the  plant  can  also  be  divided. 

Anchusa — Aikanet,  Italian  Borage,  Summer 
Forget-me-not,  Sea  Bugloss 

One  of  the  colors  which  all  amateur  gardeners  wish  is  a  good, 
strong  blue,  one  which  does  not  fade  easily  but  which  holds  its  own. 
Anchusas  when  planted  in  large  masses,  appear  as  a  misty  sea  of  deep 
blue  when  in  bloom.  Although  possessing  nothing  to  recommend  it  as 
a  cut  flower,  it  is  a  taU  growing  blue  perennial  that  is  deserving  of  a 
place  in  every  garden.  The  plants  of  Anchusa  italica,  Dropmore  Va- 
riety, which  is  the  commonest  one  grown,  attains  a  height  of  3  feet 
to  5  feet,  and  blooms  during  June  and  July.  The  leaves  are  very 
large,  heavy  and  hairy.  The  flowering  branches  are  sent  out  in  aU 
directions  from  the  plant  and  bear  large,  loose  clusters  of  giant  For- 
get-me-nots of  soft  turquoise  blue.  Many  have  a  white  eye.  The 
Opal  variety  is  light  pinkish  blue.    The  blooming  season  can  be  easily 


40 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNL\LS 


Left,  The  Monkshood  or  Aconitum,  striking  plants  resembhng  Larkspurs;  right, 
Anchusa,   a   rare  deep  blue  of   May. 


lengthened  by  cutting  down  the  taller  sprays  when  the  flowers  begin  to 
fade.  This  will  cause  smaller  spikes  to  appear  which  will  continue 
blooming  through  September.  They  are  of  such  beauty  and  are  so 
attractive  in  early  Spring  when  so  few  blue  flowers  are  in  sight,  that 
they  have  proven  very  popular.  The  bees  also  delight  in  visiting 
them. 

Uses.  Anchusa s  have  proven  an  invaluable  plant  for  the  border, 
and  are  used  in  woodlands  to  a  certain  extent.  A.  my osotidi flora  is  a 
dwarf  variety  bearing  small  flowers  and  is  used  eff'ectively  in  rock 
gardens,  especially  in  shady  nooks,  where  it  blooms  all  Summer. 

Culture.  Any  good  garden  soil,  plenty  of  sunshine,  and  a  well- 
drained  situation  suit  them.  Most  of  the  plants  become  fuUy  estab- 
lished during  the  second  or  third  year.  They  are  moisture-loving 
plants  and  should  be  given  copious  soakirigs  of  water  during  dry 
spells     The  plants  should  be  staked  during  the  flowering  season. 

Propagation  Seeds  and  division  of  the  plant.  Anchusas  self- 
sow  very  readily.  The  roots  are  very  juicy  and  brittle  so  that  when 
the  plants  are  dug,  they  are  frequently  broken.  Each  root  allowed  to 
remain  in  the  soil  will  produce  a  new  plant. 


NOTEWORTHY   PERENNIALS  47 


Anemone — Japanese  Wind   Flower 

There  are  many  kinds  of  Anemones  found  growing  in  the  cul- 
tivated gardens,  as  well  as  in  the  wild  of  our  woods.  Some  are  among 
the  first  flowers  to  bloom  along  the  river  banks  in  the  Spring  and  some 
bloom  even  after  the  early  frosts  of  Autumn  have  come.  AH  thrive 
under  cool  conditions  and  in  many  cases  the  ground  should  be  covered 
with  leafmold  to  keep  it  cool.  The  early  blooming  varieties  such  as 
the  Pasque  Flower  {Anemone  Pulsatilla)  grow  about  9  inches  high  and 
the  purpUsh  flowers  are  borne  in  profusion  during  April.  The  Pasque 
Flower  is  followed  by  seed  pods  covered  with  silky  hairs  which  stay  on 
the  plant  for  a  considerable  time.  But  of  all  the  Anemones,  the 
Japanese  Wind  Flower  (A  japonica)  is  the  largest  and  the  best  one  to 
grow  for  our  gardens.  They  begin  blooming  early  in  Fall  and  last 
until  freezing  weather  cuts  them  down  when  only  the  Cosmos,  Dahlias 
and  Chrysanthemums  are  left.  The  flowers  are  pure  white,  light  and 
dark  pink;  they  grow  from  "2  feet  to  3  feet  tall.  They  seem  to  thrive 
best  when  planted  in  front  of  shrubbery,  evergreens  or  walls  facing  the 
south  where  they  are  protected  from  the  northern  winds.  Japanese 
Anemones  have  a  leathery  fohage  which  is  dark  green  on  the  surface 
and  light  green  on  the  under  side.  The  flower  spikes  grow  straight 
and  erect  from  the  center  of  the  plant  and  bear  many  large,  saucer- 
shaped  flowers  with  a  large  center  of  yellow  pollen  masses.  The  good 
varieties  are:  Whirlwind,  white;  Queen  Charlotte,  pink;  Geante  des 
Blanches,  white,  and  Kriemhilde,  rose.  There  are  also  rosy-reds  and 
crimsons. 

Us7?]s.  Anemones  are  charming  when  used  as  cut  flowers  espe- 
cially when  combined  with  the  fine  ferns  or  Asparagus  plumosus.  TM 
dwarf  varieties  which  bloom  in  the  Spring  are  used  in  rock  gardens, 
while  the  others  are  used  in  borders.  The  Japanese  Anemones  bloom 
at  a  time  when  flowers  are  scarce  and  with  slight  protection  from  the 
early  frosts,  tliey  will  bloom  two  or  three  weeks  after  many  other 
plants  are  killed. 

Culture.  All  Anemones  like  a  rich,  moist  soil,  one  which  is  well 
drained  in  Winter.  The  early  dwarf  varieties  will  thrive  in  shady 
places,  but  the  Japanese  Wind  Flowers  need  sunshine.  They  like  lots 
of  water  and  should  be  thoroughly  soaked  with  water  during  a  dr^ 
season.  They  need  some  Winter  protection,  such  as  a  good  covering 
of  leaves.  If  the  plants  are  moved,  it  should  be  in  the  Spring,  but 
it  is  best  to  let  them  grow  undistm-bed  in  the  border  for  a  number 
of  years.    The  ground  should  be  worked  deeply  and  well  manured. 


48 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Propagation.  The  seed  should  he  sown  in  the  Spring  and  the 
plants  spaced  at  18  inches  apart.  The  best  method  is  to  divide  the 
roots.  Save  even  the  smallest  roots  when  the  plant  is  dug,  because  if 
they  are  cut  into  2-inch  lengths  and  placed  in  a  sandy  soil  they  will 
produce  little  plants.  When  well  started  these  new  plants  may  be 
placed  in  their  permanent  quarters. 


Anthemis — Golden  Marguerite,  Common 
Chamomile 

This  hardy  Marguerite  is  a  sturdy,  very  easily  grown  plant.  It 
is  about  1  foot  ot1}4  feet  high,  very  bushy  with  finely  cut  foliage  some- 
what resembling  the  Pyrethrums,  and  bears  Daisy -like,  yellow  flowers 
in  great  profusion  from  June  until  Fall.  The  colors  range  from  purest 
white  to  a  rich  yellow.  Anthemis  tindoria  Kelwayi  is  the  best  one  for 
gardens  because  it  has  a  particularly  long  flowering  season.  Its  flowers 
are  yellow.  A.  montana,  a  form  of  A.  tindoria,  has  creamy  white 
flowers. 


Left, ^Japanese  Anemone,  one  of  the  charming  late  flowers;  right,  wild  Asters,  a 
Fall  srarden  without  them  being  incomplete. 


NOTEWORTHY   PERENNIALS  49 

Uses.  The  golden  Marguerites  are  splendid  when  planted  in 
masses  and  are  most  excellent  for  hot  dry  places.  Some  of  the  dwarf 
forms  are  used  in  rockwork.  They  are  used  for  cut  flowers  to  a  great 
extent. 

Culture.  These  flowers  will  grow  in  almost  any  kind  of  soil;  in 
fact,  they  will  succeed  in  the  poorest  clay  soil.  They  like  a  sunny 
location,  although  they  will  bloom  in  partial  shade.  The  plants  should 
be  divided  often  as  they  grow  and  spread  very  rapidly.  It  must  be 
frankly  admitted  that  they  are  apt  to  overrun  a  small  garden. 

Propagation.  They  are  easily  grown  from  seed  or  by  division 
of  the  roots. 

Aquilegia — Columbine 

Doth  the  rock  burst  into  bloom 

So  the  bees  seek  its  perfume  ? 

Is  there  somewhere  in  its  breast 

A  spirit  roving  without  rest 

That  doth  fabricate 

This  wall  of  slate 

Into  forms  so  complicate 

That  but  a  breath 

Would  bring  death 

They  are  so  frail, 

So  thinly  frail  ? 

Ah,  the  wonder  that"  has  run 
That  some  sweet  alchemy  has  won — 
Kissed    together    stone    and    sun ! 
0  Columbine,  the  world  is  thine  1 

— L.  H.  Bailey. 

The  names  of  this  flower  are  interesting  to  the  garden  lover  with 
imagination.  It  is  called  Columbine,  some  say,  because  the  flowers 
appear  like  the  cap  of  a  court  jester;  others  have  suggested  that  the 
spurs  of  the  flowers  cause  them  to  appear  like  a  ring  of  doves  (Colombo) 
about  a  dish.  And  its  name  Aquilegia,  is  it  from  agui  legus,  to  draw 
water,  or  from  aquila,  an  eagle?  Both  derivations  would  be  apt,  for 
the  Aquilegia  appears  to  draw  water  from  the  rocks  upon  which  it 
grows  in  the  wild  and  the  shape  of  the  flower  suggests  the  talons  of 
an  eagle. 

Species.  Canada  Columbine  (Aquilegia  canadensis).  This  is 
the  common  species  native  to  the  Eastern  states.  The  flowers  are  red 
and  yeUow,  and  the  spurs  are  medium  short. 

Rocky  Mountain  Columbine  (A.  ccerulea)  is  a  most  beautiful  sort 
which  in  its  wild  form  has  white  petals  and  usually  white  sepals  and 


50 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNL\LS 


Left,  Columbines — the  long-spurred  sorts  being    the    prettiest;  rif/ht,  Armeria  or 
Sea   Pink;   a  good   edging   plant. 


long  blue  spurs.  It  is  a  native  of  the  Western  States  and  is  found  at 
elevations  of  from  7,000  to  10,000  feet.  As  a  parent  it  has  produced 
many  excellent  white,  pink  and  blue  varieties.  The  variety  Rose 
Queen  is  one  of  the  most  charming  sorts. 

A.  chrysantha  is  a  yellow  sort  with  long  spurs  which  blooms  some- 
what later  than  the  other  sorts.  It  has  been  much  used  as  a  parent 
for  long-spurred  hybrids. 

Common  European  Columbine  {A.  vulgaris).  This  is  a  European 
species  with  bright  lilac  flowers,  although  its  white  form  nivea  is  most 
commonly  grown.  It  is  a  dwarf  sort,  l3^  feet  tall  and  with  stout, 
curved  spurs.     This  variety  has  the  best  foliage  of  any  Columbine, 

Uses.  Most  species  are  excellent  for  the  rock  garden,  as  well  as 
for  the  herbaceous  border,  where  they  make  clumps  sometimes  2  feet 
in  diameter.  It  is  difficult  to  arrange  Columbines  as  cut  flowers,  they 
seem  to  strangle  each  other.  When  a  truly  exquisite  eff'ect  is  desired, 
cut  a  single  truss  of  bloom  and  place  it  in  a  vase  by  itself. 

Culture  and  Propagation.  Aquilegias  bloom  in  from  12  to  15 
months  from  seed;  in  other  words,  they  rarely  o*-  never  bloom  the 
first  year  when  the  seed  is  sown  in  the  open  border.  When  sown  in 
August  of  one  year  they  will  bloom  nicely  the  next  year.  The  seedhngs 
prefer  a  warm,  sandy  soil. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


51 


The  seed  sometimes  germinates  irregularly  but  it  is  usually  ad- 
visable to  sow  the  seed  shortly  after  it  is  ripe.  The  plants  make  little 
growth  during  the  hot  Summer  from  Spring-sown  seed.  Large  plants 
may  be  divided  in  September. 

It  might  be  advisable  fov  the  amateur  gardener  to  buy  plants  of 
the  various  sorts  which,  if  planted  together,  will  cross  to  form  many 
hybrids. 

Most  Columbines  do  well  in  the  sun  but  will  stand  some  shade. 


Arabis — Rock  Cress,  Wall   Cress 

The  Rock  Cress  is  a  small,  white,  four-petaled  flower  and  its 
masses  of  snowy  bloom  early  in  the  Spring  contrast  beautifully  with 
the  Rasket  of  Gold  {Alyssum  sa.ratile  compactum)  and  the  blue  False 
Wall  Cress  {Aubrie- 
tia).  It  blooms  very 
soon  after  the  snow 
disappears  and  the 
flowers  are  so  numer- 
ous that  when  a  plant 
is  in  bloom,  no  foli- 
age is  visible.  The 
fohage  is  gray  and  the 
plant  attains  a  height 
of  6  inches.  It  is  of  a 
spreading  nature  and 
the  stems  form  a 
dense  mat  about  a 
foot  across  which 
blooms  continuously 
from  very  early 
Spring  through  May. 
Arabis  alpina  is  the 
commonest  form 
grown  but  A.  albida 
is  a  better  bloomer. 
Roth  have  white  flow- 
ers. There  is  a  soft 
pink  sort  {A.  aubrie- 
tioides)  which    some- 

tlmp«  vn'infprL'ill^  Arabis    or    Ruck    Cress.     Masses   of    white    flowers 

limes  WmierKlllS.  ^  rockery  or  border  are  attractive. 


52  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Uses.  It  is  a  splendid  rock  garden  plant,  growing  where  it  will 
droop  over  the  rocks.  In  borders  it  should  be  used  to  cover  bare 
spots.  The  flowers  are  sweet  scented  and  are  valuable  for  cutting  pur- 
poses.   It  is  a  neat  plant  wherever  grown. 

Culture.  Any  good  garden  soil  will  do  provided  it  is  loose  and 
open.  Arabis  is  a  drought-resistant  plant,  does  not  need  much  water, 
but  requires  lots  of  sun  and  heat.  After  blooming  the  plants  should 
be  cut  back  thus  causing  them  to  branch  freely  and  form  better 
plants  for  the  next  year's  bloom.  A  auhrietioides  is  best  wintered  in  a 
coldframe. 

Propagation.  Rock  Cress  is  propagated  by  seeds  or  by  dividing 
the  plants. 

Armeria — Sea  Pink,  Thrift,  Cliff  Rose 

The  Sea  Pink  is  a  low  growing  plant  which  derived  its  name  from 
the  fact  that  it  grows  along  the  seashore  and  is  pink  in  color  There 
are  other  colors,  such  as  red,  deep  rosy  pink,  hlac  and  white.  It  grows 
in  dense,  low  clumps  with  numerous,  narrow,  grass-like  leaves,  all 
clustered  at  the  base,  from  which  spring  the  flowers  on  stiff,  wiry 
stems  from  6  inches  to  12  inches  high.  The  Sea  Pink  {Armeria  mari- 
tima)  is  the  common  form.  A.  Laucheana  has  crimson  flowers  while 
A.  cephalotes  alba  has  snowy  white  flowers.  They  flower  more  or  less 
continuously  from  early  Spring  until  late  in  Fall. 

Uses.  The  Sea  Pinks  are  invaluable  when  planted  in  clumps  or 
for  edging.    They  are  also  used  for  pot  plants  and  in  the  rock  garden. 

Culture.  They  need  a  free,  well-drained,  sandy  loam  and  leaf 
soil. 

Propagation.  The  more  choice  varieties  are  increased  by  divid- 
ing the  roots  and  a  good  sized  plant  will  furnish  hundreds  of  small 
divisions.  They  produce  seed  and  wiU  grow  readily  from  seeds.  If 
the  seeds  are  planted  in  the  FaU,  they  should  be  kept  in  the  coldframe 
and  removed  to  the  open  ground  just  as  soon  as  it  is  in  a  workable  con- 
dition. This  will  enable  the  plants  to  get  well  established  before  the 
hot  weather  arrives. 


Artemisia — Wormwood,    Mountain    Fringe,    Old 
Man,  Old  Woman,  Southern  Wood 

This  group  of  plants,  as  a  whole,  are  not  generaUy  valued  for  their 
flowers,  but  all  have  very  ornamental  foliage.    The  plants  are  almost 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  53 

as  hardy  as  Oalis,  yet  are  very  attractive  when  in  bloom  from  August 
until  frost-time.  The  flowers  are  borne  on  long,  graceful  stems,  divided 
like  a  plume,  and  are  either  light  creamy  or  yellowish-white  in  color. 
The  foliage  is  very  finely  cut  and  \aries  from  light  gray  to  dark  green. 

Species.  Hawthorn-scented  Mugwort.  A  ladiflora  is  one  of 
the  newest  varieties  which  grows  5  feet  high.  Its  fragrant  flowers  are 
produced  in  late  Sunamer  and  combines  well  with  the  Golden  Glow, 
Buddleia,  Hardy  Asters,  Boltonia,  Helianthus  and  many  other  of  the 
taller  Fall  blooming  perennials.  It  shows  a  tendency  to  disappear  like 
the  Auratum  Lily  does. 

Southernwood,  Old  Man  (A.  Ahrotanum)  is  one  of  the  old-fashioned 
border  plants.  It  has  yellowish-white  flowers  and  is  usually  grown  for 
its  handsome  dark  green,  pleasant  scented  leaves. 

Old  Woman  {A.  Sielleriana)  is  of  creeping  habit  with  silvery  white 
foliage  and  is  one  of  the  showiest  of  this  type  of  border  plants.  It 
grows  rapidly  and  soon  covers  a  large  space. 

A.  Purshiana  grows  about  1/^  feet  high  and  has  white  foliage. 

The  Summer  Fir  or  Annual  Pine  (A.  saccrorum)  is  an  annual  re- 
cently introduced  from  China  which  because  of  its  fine  foliage  and 
rapid  growth  has  become  popular  for  foliage  masses. 

Uses.  Old  Woman  is  much  used  for  carpeting  beds  or  borders. 
It  is  good  also  for  the  rock  garden.  The  taller  plants  are  used  to  fill 
in  the  shrubbery  or  as  backgrounds  or  hedges  for  the  lower  growing 
flowers.  The  fohage  and  flowers  are  sweetly  scented  and  adapt  them- 
selves well  to  pot  culture  and  as  such  are  as  decorative  as  many  of 
the  Acacias  which  are  prized  so  much.  The  blooms  also  make  attrac- 
tive cut  flowers  and  last  weU. 

Culture.  Artemisias  like  soil  which  is  moist,  and  it  must  be 
rather  rich  in  order  to  produce  good  blooms.  Free  watering  and  soap- 
suds have  been  found  to  agree  with  them. 

Propagation.  They  may  be  grown  from  seeds,  but  are  usually 
propagated  by  division  or  by  cuttings. 


Asciepias — Butterfly  Weed,   Pleurisy  Root, 
Milkweed 

The  common  IVIilkweeds  arc  members  of  this  genus  of  plants. 
Asciepias  tuberosa,  the  Butterfly  Weed,  is  one  of  the  showiest  and 
most  beautiful  of  our  native  plants.  The  beautiful,  flat-topped  clus- 
ters of  bright  orange-red  flowers  are  followed  by  long,  curious  pods 


54 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


containing  numerous  white, 
feathery  seeds.  In  the  wild 
state  the  flowers  bloom  in 
August,  but  the  flowering 
season  is  prolonged  if  the 
plants  are  given  good  cultiva- 
tion. In  some  sections  the 
Butterfly  Weed  has  been  large- 
ly used  as  a  substitute  for 
Geraniums  because  of  some  of 
the  intense  orange  and  scarlet 
shades  of  the  flowers.  How- 
ever, it  grows  a  little  taller, 
from  m  feet  to  2H  feet. 


Uses.  The  Butterfly 
Weed  is  nice  for  sunny  spots 
in  the  rockery  or  border. 
When  found  wild  they  are 
blooming  when  many  of  the 
surrounding  plants  are  dried 
up. 

Culture.  These  plants 
are  long  lived  and  capable  of  taking  care  of  themselves  without  any 
attention.  They  freeze  out  in  heavy  soil  and  should  have  sandy, 
well  drained  soil  in  full  sunlight.  The  Asclepias  is  a  deep  rooting  plant 
and  dislikes  removal  very  much.  One  should  be  careful  that  it  has 
completed  its  growth  and  every  root  should  be  saved,  if  the  plants 
aT'e  to  be  transplanted  from  one  place  to  another.  Transplanting 
is  usually  considered  difficult,  but  many  persons  have  reported  suc- 
cess if  the  hole  is  filled  with  sand. 

Propagation.  Raising  them  from  seeds  is  the  most  certain 
method  of  propagation.  Sow  only  a  few  seeds  in  a  pot  of  rather 
firm  soil,  and  aUow  the  young  plants,  which  grow  slowly,  to  remain 
in  these  pots  for  at  least  a  year  before  setting  them  out. 


Butterfly     Weed       or     Asclepias     tuberosa. 

These     orange-red     flowers     brighten     the 

dry  spots  on  banks  or  in    the   border. 


Asperula — Sweet  Woodruff,  Waldmeister 

Sweet  Woodruff"  {Asperula  odorata)  is  a  small  growing,  graceful, 
sweet  scented  herb.  It  has  small,  white  flowers  and  deep  green,  whorled 
fohage.  The  flowers  and  leaves  when  dried  have  an  odor  like  new  hay 
and  when  laid  among  clothes,  perfume  them  and  keep  away  insects. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  55 

It  grows  from  6  inches  to  8  inches  high  and  the  small  flowers,  appearing 
among  the  fohage,  make  an  exceedingly  pretty  picture,  but  the  foliage 
itself  is  not  very  attractive. 

Uses.  Sweet  Woodruff*  is  fine  for  cutting  purposes,  and  is  used 
with  varieties  of  the  Enghsh  Ivy  for  a  ground  covering  among  shrubs 
and  under  trees.    Dried  leaves  have  a  very  agreeable  aromatic  odor. 

Culture.  It  will  succeed  when  planted  in  clumps  if  given  a 
partially  shaded  position. 

Propagation.  It  is  propagated  by  division  and  from  seeds  and 
increases  rapidly.    The  seeds  germinate  slowly. 


Asphodel — King's  Spear 

The  classic  Asphodel  is  rarely  seen  in  gardens  although  its  interest- 
ing, tall  and  stately  spikes  of  yellow  and  white  flowers  are  of  interest  to 
garden  lovers.  The  Asphodels  are  variously  catalogued  as  Asphodeline 
and  Asphodelus;  the  former  genus  is  erect  and  has  leafy  stems,  the  latter 
is  stemless.  In  Asphodeline  lutea  the  flowers  are  sweet  scented  and 
yellow,  the  stems  3  feet  to  4  feet  tall.  The  plants  bloom  in  June. 
In  Bailey's  "Standard  Cyclopedia  of  Horticulture"  we  read  that  this 
is  the  plant  mentioned  by  Homer  which  grows  in  the  meadows  of  the 
dead,  where  the  heroes  gathered  in  Hades.  In  Greece  it  is  wild  and  is 
always  associated  with  waste  places  and  the  dead.  To  us  it  has  no 
such  associations. 

The  name  King's  Spear,  is  often  used  for  this  plant.  There  is, 
however,  another  perennial,  the  Eremurus,  which  is  called  by  that 
name. 

Culture.  The  Asphodels  are  excellent  border  plants,  where  they 
may  be  grown  in  partial  shade  or  sun.  They  are  suited  to  most  garden 
soils. 

Propagation.  The  plants  are  readily  divided  in  Spring  or  Fall. 
Seed  is  advertised  in  some  catalogs. 


Aster — Michaelmas  Daisy 

The  American  who  reads  English  books  about  gardens  is  thriUed 
by  the  love  of  the  British  for  Michaelmas  Daisies.  He  immediately 
hunts  his  own  roadsides  and  delves  into  catalogs  to  acquire  some  of 
these  lovely  flowers.  For  the  wild  Asters  are  truly  lovely  and  are 
an  asset  to  any  garden,  many  of  which  bloom  at  a  season  when  the 


50  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

other  flowers  are  failing  and  the  roadsides  are  parched  after  our  usual 
Summer  droughts.  It  is  a  reflection  upon  our  appreciation  of  our  own 
native  flora  to  read  that  there  are  many  selected  varieties  of  Asters, 
most  of  which  have  been  produced  abroad.  In  the  following  table  w:iU 
be  found  an  ample  assortment  of  the  commoner  Michaelmas  Daisies, 
all  of  which  may  be  grown: 

ACRis  NANUS.     1-13^  fcct.     Lavcndcr-blue.     Aug.-Sept.     Good  dwarf. 
ACUMiNATUs  (Sharp-lcavcd  A.)     1-3  feet.    White.    Aug.-Sept.    Moist 

locations. 
Advance.    4  feet.    Lavender.    Sept.    Free  flowering. 
ALPiNus.     %  foot.    Purplish-blue  and  white.    May-June.    Rockery  or 

front  of  border;  very  early. 
Amellus.    2  feet.    Rich  violet.    Aug.-Sept. 

AMETHYSTiNus.    4-5  feet.    Amethyst-blue.    Oct.    Mass  of  smaU  flowers. 
Beauty  of  Golwall.    3-4  feet.    Ageratum-blue.    Sept.    One  of  best 

doubles. 
Glimax.     5  feet.     Lavender-blue.     Sept.-Oct.     A  superb  form  of  A. 

novi-belgii. 
coRDiFOLius  (Heart-leaved  A.)  1-4  feet.    Light  Ulac.    Sept.    A  common 

wfld  sort. 
ERicomES  (Heath  A.)      2  feet.    White.    Sept.    SmaU  leaves;  common, 

wild. 
Feltham  Blue.    2}^  feet.    Blue.    Aug.-Sept.    One  of  best. 
Glen  Eyrie.     33^^-4  feet.    Bright  pink.     Sept.-Oct.     A  pink  form  of 

A.  novae-angliae. 
GRANDiFLORUS.     2-2]/^  feet.     Bluish-violet.     Oct.-Nov.     Late;  a  large 

flower. 
L^vis  (Smooth-leaved  A.)    4  feet.    LUac  lavender.    Oct.    Neat  habit, 

graceful. 
LiL  Fardel.    4-5  feet.    Mauve.    Sept.    Showy,  form  of  novae-angliae. 
MACROPHYLLus    (Largc-lcavcd   A.)      4   feet.     Lavender-violet.     Sept. 

Dry,  shady  places. 
MULTiFLORUS  (Mauy-flowcrcd  A.)      2  feet.     White,  smaU.     Oct.-Nov. 

Late. 
Nov^-ANGLI^.       (New    England     A.)     3-5  feet.    Purple.     Sept.-Oct. 

Common,  showy  wfld  sort.  

NOvi-BELGii  (N.  Y.  Aster).     1-3  feet.    Blue.    Sept.-Oct.    Glimax  and 

St.  Egwyn  are  forms  of  this. 
Perry's  Favorite.     3  feet.     Reddish  violet.     Aug.-Sept.     Form  of 

A.  AmeUus. 
PTARMicomES.    3^  foot.    White.    Aug.    Stiff  stems  for  cut  flower. 
St.  Egwyn.    23^-3  feet.    Pink.    Sept.-Oct.    One  of  best. 
suBGCERULEus.     l3^  fcct.     Bluish-violct.     May- June.     Large  flowers; 

protect  plants. 
TATARicus.    5-6  feet.    Violet-blue.    Oct.    Late  sort;  one  of  tallest. 
WmTE  Queen.    4  feet.    White.    Sept.-Oct.    Not  as  good  as  some. 

Uses.  To  see  the  various  sorts  of  Asters  is  to  suggest  a  hundred 
uses  for  them:  tall  sorts  as  backgrounds  for  lower  perennials;  tall 
sorts  in  front  of  evergreens;  tall  sorts  for  woodlands  and  roadsides; 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  57 

tall  sorts  for  screening  fences,  ditches;  sbor^^r  species  for  bringing  a 
spot  of  color  into  the  Fall  perennial  border;  all  species  for  cutting  and 
useful  for  large  vases  in  the  home,  church  or  social  gathering. 

GiiLTiTRE  No  culture  is  necessary.  Plant  them  and  if  given  extra 
food  and  water  they  repay  us;  if  not  they  bloom  beautifully  to  shame  us 
for  our  neglect  Of  cou'-se,  in  the  garden  where  neatness  is  necessary, 
we  do  stake  the  tall  sorts.  They  seem  to  grow  well  either  in  full  sun 
or  partial  shade. 

Propagation.  Cut  up  the  clumps  as  often  as  you  think  of  it. 
They  multiply  rapidly  and  one  always  has  a  few  plants  to  give  to  a 
friend. 


Aubrietia — Purple  Rock  Cress,  False  Wall  Cress 

Early  in  the  Spring  our  eyes  search  for  color  in  the  garden.  We 
grow  the  Rock  Cress  (Arabis)  for  white,  Golden  Alyssum  for  yellow 
and  Aubrietia  for  purple,  rose  and  lavender.  But  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
few  persons  have  grown  the  Aubrietias  because  they  have  not  known 
of  them  although  the  catalogs  list  the  plants. 

Use.  They  are  useful  in  the  front  line  of  a  perennial  border  or  for 
the  rock  garden. 

Culture.  They  prefer  the  lighter  soils  and  full  sun.  Transplant 
in  Fall  or  earliest  Spring,  for  at  other  times  they  are  impatient  c>f  t)eing 
moved. 

Propagation.  Divide  the  plants  in  the  Fall.  If  seed  is  obtain- 
able, they  may  be  easily  started  from  seed. 


Baptisia — False  Indigo,  Wild  Indigo 

The  Baptisias  are  strong  growing  plants  with  yellow,  white  and 
dark  blue  flowers  which  somewhat  resemble  the  Lupine,  being  pea- 
shaped.  The  flowers  grow  on  a  spike  about  6  inches  long.  False  Indigo 
{Baptisia  ausiralis)  grows  about  3  feet  high,  has  dark  blue  flowers  and 
dark  bluish-green  leaves  cut  very  deeply  to  form  three  oval  leaflets. 
Wild  Indigo  (i5.  tincioria)  has  short  leaves  and  bright  yellow  flowers. 
It  grows  from  2  feet  to  4  feet  high.  These  plants  bloom  from  May 
through  July. 

Uses.  These  are  very  striking  plants  for  the  border  because  of 
the  excellent  spikes  of  blue  or  yellow  color.  They  are  also  good 
in  the  wild  garden. 


58  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Culture.  Baptisias  should  be  planted  in  full  sunlight,  otherwise 
they  prove  to  be  shy  in  blooming.    They  will  stand  dry,  sandy  soils. 

Propagation.  They  are  usually  propagated  from  seeds  and 
division  of  the  plants  which  are  very  woody  at  the  crown.  The  seeds 
should  be  sown  as  soon  as  they  are  gathered  and  wintered  over  in 
the  coldframe,  where  they  will  germinate  the  following  Spring. 

Bellis — English  Daisy,  Herb  Margaret 

The  Daisy  of  Europe  is  the  one  of  which  we  speak  here.  Who  has 
not  read  the  words  of  Burns  and  Wordsworth,  and  having  read,  who 
has  not  admired  these  charming  button -like  flowers  the  more?  Let 
us  read  again  several  stanzas  of  Burns: 

TO  A  MOUNTAIN  DAISY 

On  turning  one  down  with  the  plow. 

Wee,  modest,  crimson-tippe'd  flower, 
Thou's  met  me  in  an  evil  hour; 
For  I  maun  crush  amang  the  stoure* 

Thy  slender  stem; 
To  spare  thee  now  is  past  my  power, 

Thou  bonnie  gem. 

Gauld   blew  the   bitter  biting  north 
Upon  thy  early,  humble  birth. 
Yet  cheerfully  thou  glinted  f  forth 

Amid  the  storm, 
Scarce  reared  above  the  parent  earth 
Thy  tender  form. 
~  *Stoure — means  dust. 

tGlinted — means  peeped. 

With  the  Tulips  in  the  early  days  of  Spring  the  English  Daisy 
{Bellis  perennis)  starts  to  produce  its  single  or  double  white,  pink,  rose 
and  red  flowers  upon  its  low  plants,  for  they  seldom  grow  over  3  inches 
tall.  Although  they  bloom  quickly  in  the  Spring,  the  finest  flowers  are 
produced  in  the  Fall  when  it  is  cooler. 

Uses.  They  are  combined  with  Pansies  and  Forget-me-nots  and 
are  also  used  as  a  ground  cover  for  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  and  other  bulbs, 
either  in  the  rock  garden,  as  an  edging  for  borders,  or  in  the  early 
window  boxes. 

Culture.  The  hot  weather  is  very  severe  on  the  English  Daisies. 
They  should  be  planted  6  inches  apart  each  way  in  cool  soil.  They 
should  be  protected  in  the  Winter  and  if  they  are  kept  in  coldframes, 
will  bloom  during  the  Winter  as  do  Pansies  and  Violets. 


NOTEWORTHY  PKRENNTAT.S 


:)9 


Left,   False   Indigo  or  Baptisia,   a  blue,   pea-shaped   flower  of   May;   right,   English 
Daisy  or   Bellis,   cheery  edging  plants. 

Propagation.  The  finer  English  Daisies  are  propagated  by 
division  in  the  Fall.  They  grow  easily  from  seed  which  should  be  sown 
in  August  in  coldframes,  where  they  should  be  kept  during  the  Winter. 


Bocconia — Plume  Poppy,  Tree  Celandine 

The  Plume  Poppy  {Bocconia  cordata)  is  perhaps  one  of  the  most 
imposing  plants  of  the  hardy  border,  for  it  grows  from  C  feet  to  10  feet 
high.  The  general  aspect  of  the  plant  is  grayish-green  in  color  with 
very  large  and  deeply  cut  leaves.  The  flowers  are  not  very  conspicuous 
but  form  huge  plumes  of  feathery,  small,  creamy  white  blooms.  Other 
varieties  have  leaves  which  are  silvery  under  the  surface  and  small 
white  flowers  which  are  red  when  in  bud.  The  flowering  season  of  the 
Bocconias  is  during  the  Summer  months,  July  and  August,  but  the 
plumes  remain  attractive  until  <^ut  by  frost. 

Uses.  The  silvery  foliage  counts  as  white  in  the  garden;  hence, 
the  Plume  Poppy  can  be  used  where  white  clumps  are  needed.  It 
seems  adapted  to  wet  places,  is  good  as  a  specimen  plant,  and  is  ex- 


60  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Plume   Poppy  or  Bocconia. 


cellent  for  the  rear  of  borders,  or  to  plant  in  front  of  tall  shrubbery. 
It  can  also  be  used  for  the  centers  of  beds  of  flowers. 

Culture.  The  Plume  Poppy  requires  lots  of  sunlight  and  a  rich 
soil  seems  to  promote  the  production  of  large  specimen  clumps,  but 
they  will  grow  in  any  good  soil. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  61 

Propagation.  Bocconia  plants  grow  easily  from  seed  and  attain 
a  height  of  3  feet  to  4  feet  the  first  year.  They  may  be  divided  and 
should  be  confined,  because  the  plants  sucker  very  badly  and  will 
soon  spread  throughout  the  garden. 


Boltonia — False  Starwort,  False  Chamomile 

The  Boltonias  bloom  at  the  same  time  and  resemble  some  of  the 
wild  Asters  of  the  garden  and  woodland.  The  leaves  are  long  and 
grayish  and  in  these  characteristics  are  roughly  distinguished  from  the 
perennial  Asters,  or  Michaelmas  Daisies. 

The  catalogs  commonly  list  three  sorts:  B.  asieroides,  a  tall,  white 
sort  growing  4  feet  to  5  feet  tall,  blooming  in  August  and  September; 
B.  latisquama,  which  is  similar  to  the  former  sort  but  with  pinkish 
lavender  flowers;  and  B.  latisquama  nana  which  grows  only  2  feet  tall. 
The  colors  are  not  strictly  the  distinguishing  characteristics,  but  as 
the  catalogs  usually  agree,  we  shall  pass  on  to  add  that  the  flowers  of 
B  latisquama  are  generally  larger  than  those  of  the  first  species. 

Uses.  The  Boltonias,  because  of  their  great  height,  are  highly 
desirable  in  large  perennial  borders  because  the  plants  literaUy  bear 
thousands  of  star-like  flowers.    They  serve  excellently  as  cut  flowers. 

Culture.  The  plants  are  of  the  simplest  culture,  taking  care 
of  themselves  when  established.  Sometimes  when  the  soil  is  rich, 
they  grow  a  bit  too  taU  for  their  strength.  Their  appearance  is  then 
improved  by  staking. 

Propagation.  The  seeds  usuaUy  grow  succ'essfuUy,  but  the 
plants  are  readily  divided  into  pieces  in  the  Spring.  Frequent  division 
is  advisable  as  the  plants  reproduce  rapidly. 


Buddleia — Butterfly  Bush,  Summer  Lilac 

Buddleias  have  made  a  great  place  for  themselves  in  the  garden 
where  their  abundant  bloom,  attractive  color  and  delicate  fragrance 
wins  our  admiration  the  first  time  we  become  accquainted  with  them. 
These  plants  are  nearly  hardy  shrubs,  but  because  of  our  cold 
Winters  they  serve  as  perennials  with  us. 

Species.  B.  variabilis  is  a  species  bearing  erect  panicles  of  lilac- 
colored,  fragrant  blooms  with  orange  throat  markings.    The  stems  of 


62 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


^. 


.f# 


^ : .  >«& 


mm^%^- 


IsfW'fW^ 


>;.  :%^ 


-^i'^^V 


bloom  are  12  inches 
to  15  inches  long  and 
3  inches  in  diameter. 
The  species  was  in- 
troduced by  Wilson 
from  China.  The 
plants  although  froz- 
en to  the  ground 
nearly  every  Winter, 
will  start  up  nicely 
and  grow  6  feet  to 
8  feet  tall.  The 
minimum  tempera- 
ture which  the  roots 
will  stand  seems  to 
be  about  10  deg.  be- 
low zero.  There  are 
several  varieties  but 
B.  V.  var.  magnifica, 
which  blooms  from 
June  until  October, 
is  the  best  form  be- 
cause of  its  superior 
flowering  habit. 

Uses.  Buddleias 
make  excellent  cut 
ilowers.  As  a  garden 
subject  they  make  attractive  specimen  plants.  Besides .  their  charm- 
ing^ color  and  fragrance,  they  are  rightly  named  the  Butterily  bush, 
because  they  are  continually  covered  with  handsome  butterllies. 

Culture.  Plant  Buddleias  in  well  drained  soil,  and  they  will 
bloom  the  first  year  after  planting.  Many  growers  seem  to  believe 
that  protected  plants  freeze  as  readily  as  those  given  no  covering  ot 
any  sort. 

Propagation.  The  best  method  of  propagation,  if  a  greenhouse 
is  available,  is  to  make  cuttings  in  September  and  October  and  grow 
them  through  the  Winter  in  the  greenhouse,  in  which  case  they  will  be 
large  blooming  plants  by  Springtime.  Outofdoors,  the  Buddleias 
are  readily  propagated  from  young  shoots  rooted  either  in  sand  or  water. 
It  is  a  bit  difficult  to  get  the  young  plants  through  the  first  Wmter  m 
the  severer  cUmates. 


Butterfly  Bush  or  Buddleia.  Superlative  adjectives 
only  can  describe  this  lilac  flowering  plant.  A  shrub 
treated  in  the  Northern  States  as  a  herbaceous  plant- 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  63 

Cactus,  Hardy — Opuntia,  Echinocactus 

The  Cacti,  as  everyone  knows,  are  plants  with  thick,  fleshy  stems 
covered  with  spines,  for  usually  there  are  no  leaves.  The  Opuntias, 
which  are  perhaps  the  most  common  ones  grown  in  the  northern  states, 
have  large  and  flat  branches.  They  have  many  colored  spines  and 
exquisite  flowers.  The  spines  are  black,  brown,  purple,  yellow  or  straw 
colored  and  white,  while  the  flowers  are  pale  pink  and  yellow.  The 
Comanche  Cactus  (0.  Camanchica)  has  large  yellow  flowers  and  pur- 
ple fruit.  The  Hedgehog  Cactus  {Echinocactus  Simpsonii)  is  very  small 
and  grows  into  a  globe  with  pale  pink  flowers.  Other  hardy  Optunias 
are  0.  vulgaris,  0.  phspacantha,  0.  polyacantha,  0.  arenaria  and  0. 
Rafinesquii. 

Uses.  The  hardy  Cacti  are  used  mostly  in  the  rock  gardens, 
although  many  of  them  are  used  in  the  borders  and  in  dry,  rocky 
places. 

Culture.  Cacti  require  a  light,  open  and  porous  soil,  containing 
lots  of  leafmold,  loam  and  sand.  There  should  also  be  enough  lime 
present  to  keep  the  soil  from  souring.  They  need  water  in  the  Summer 
but  not  during  the  Winter.    Plant  them  in  full  sun. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  by  seeds  and  cuttings  taken 
from  the  old  wood  rather  than  the  soft  stems. 


Callirhoe — Poppy  Mallow 

The  Poppy  iVIaUow  has  long,  traihng  stems  with  many  saucer- 
shaped  or  Poppy-shaped  flowers.  These  flowers  are  borne  in  the  axils 
of  the  leaves  and  vary  in  color  from  rosy  crimson  to  cherry  red  and  rose, 
with  white  centers.  Callirhoe  irivolucrata  is  the  most  useful  species  and 
blooms  all  during  the  Summer  and  early  FaU.  The  leaves  are  deeply 
cut  and  hairy.    Height  6  inches  to  8  inches. 

Uses.  The  Poppy  Mallow  is  good  for  small  borders,  or  for  the 
rock  garden. 

Culture.  It  is  of  easiest  culture,  growing  rapidly  during  the 
Summer  months.  It  thrives  in  sunny,  dry  positions,  where  the  roots 
penetrate  to  a  great  depth. 

Propagation.  These  plants  exhaust  themselves  easily  and  should 
be  renewed  often.    They  are  propagated  by  seeds  and  cuttings. 


64 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Campanula — Bellflower,  Canterbury  Bell, 
Harebell,  Peach  Bell,  Bluebell 


There  is  hardly  a  group  of 
flowers  which  possess  such  rare 
beauty  as  does  the  large  genus 
of  Campanulas.  There  are 
many  sorts,  some  growing 
2  inches  high  and  some  from 
4  feet  to  6  feet  high,  but  all 
have  more  or  less  bell-shaped 
flowers  in  lovely  colors:  white; 
clear  pink,  blue,  rose,  purplish- 
rose,  violet-blue  and  lavender. 
All  of  them  are  desirable  and 
seem  to  just  fit  in  their  various 
places  from  the  formal  border 
to  the  rocky  ledges  of  the 
woods.  Most  of  them  bloom 
during  June  and  July.  The 
Canterbury  Bells  {Campanula 
Medium)  and  its  cup  and 
saucer  variety  {C.  M.  caly 
canthema)  are  perhaps  th- 
most  showy  and  satisfactore 


Canterbury   Bells;  glorious   large   bells   of 
pink,  purple  and  white.     A  biennial. 


of  the  whole  group  The  flowers  are  very  large,  in  lovely  whitey 
pink,  blue  and  deep  purple.  The  stalks  of  bloom  are  about  2  feet, 
taU  and  they  are  very  efl'ective  when  planted  with  the  early  blooming 
varieties  of  Phlox.  The  Peach  Bells  (C,  persicifolia)  grows  from  2  feet 
to  3  feet  high  and  its  flowers,  in  blue  or  white,  are  more  shaUow 
than  beU-shaped.  It  has  narrow  leaves  and  is  very  graceful.  Of  this 
species,  Moerheimei  is  the  best  white;  some  sorts  are  double. 

The  Chimney  BeUflower  (C.  pyramidalis)  is  the  taUest  one.  It 
sends  up  long  stalks  of  porcelain-blue  and  clear  white  flowers  in  August 
and  continues  blooming  for  six  weeks.  When  in  fuU  bloom,  the  plant 
seems  to  form  a  perfect  pyramid.  Of  the  dwarfer  varieties,  which  are 
beautiful  and  useful  in  rock  gardening,  the  Carpathian  HarebeU  (C.  car- 
patica)  is  probably  the  most  popular  It  grows  in  dense  tufts,  not  exceed- 
ing 8  inches  in  width,  and  is  covered  with  clear  blue  flowers  borne  on 
wiry  stems.  The  Scotch  Harebell,  the  BluebeU  of  literature,  is  the  C. 
rotundifolia.    It  is  an  attractive  flower  having  most  dainty  little  bells 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  Q5 

of  blue  which  appear  during  late  Spring.  This  sort  is  found  wild  in 
many  of  the  hills  and  mountains  of  our  country  and  possesses  a  sort 
of  unexcelled  daintiness. 

Uses.  The  uses  are  almost  as  varied  as  the  numerous  forms.  The 
dwarfer  varieties  are  especially  suited  for  small  borders,  for  baskets  and 
the  rock  garden.  The  tall  ones,  especially  the  Chimney  Bellflower, 
are  adaptable  for  pot  culture  or  as  specimen  plants  and  make  a  beauti- 
ful decoration  for  the  terrace  or  porch.  The  other  varieties  are  ex- 
cellent in  the  border  or  to  use  as  cut  flowers. 

Culture.  Campanulas  should  be  given  full  sunhght  and  should 
not  be  crowded  in  the  beds.  The  taller  varieties  need  staking  to  pre- 
vent injury  from  the  high  winds.  They  like  a  good,  rich  soil,  and  in 
the  Spring  a  little  fine  manure  and  some  bonemeal  should  be  dug  around 
each  plant.  Most  of  the  varieties,  especially  the  taller  ones,  need 
^^  inter  protection,  for  if  allowed  to  stand  naturally,  the  heavy  snows 
will  flatten  the  crown  of  leaves  to  the  groimd,  causing  it  to  decay. 
Forest  leaves  should  be  packed  between  the  plants,  holding  the  leaves 
of  the  Campanula  together  with  one  hand.  Evergreen  boughs,  straw 
or  hay  wiU  serve  for  the  dwarfer  ones.  If  the  flowers  are  cut  imme- 
diately upon  fading,  the  blooming  season  can  be  prolonged  for  several 
weeks. 

Propagation.  Most  of  the  Campanulas  are  biennials.  For  this 
reason  seed  must  be  sown  each  year  in  order  to  have  plants  which  will 
bloom  the  next  year.  A  mistake,  commonly  made,  is  in  sowing  the 
seed  too  late.  It  should  be  sown  any  time  from  May  until  August, 
according  to  the  variety,  in  rich  soil  which  has  been  carefully  prepared, 
and  it  should  be  watered  daily.  The  plants  should  be  hardened  gradu- 
aUy,  after  they  have  been  wintered  over  in  coldframes,  and  can  be 
removed  to  the  open  ground  in  May.  The  rows  should  be  12  inches 
apart,  with  an  almost  equal  amount  of  space  between  the  plants. 
Campanulas  are  also  propagated  by  cuttings  and  division. 


Caryopteris — Blue  Spiraea 

This  Blue  Spiraea  is  another  one  of  the  good,  Fall  blooming  plants. 
It  is  shrubby  in  nature,  growing  from  3  feet  to  4  feet  tall  with  small 
leaves  and  clusters  of  small,  rich  lavender-blue  flowers.  It  begins 
blooming  in  September  and  continues  until  cut  by  the  frost.  The 
flowers  are  arranged  in  whorls  at  the  axils  of  the  leaves  and  bloom  al- 


66 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Upper  left.  Poppy  Mallow  or  Callirhoe,  spreading  its  mat  of  color  over    the    soil 

all   Summer;    lower  left,   Turtle  Head    or  Chelone,  a  wild  flower  to  introduce  to 

the  garden;  upper  right.  Clematis,  a  blue  sort  which  does  not  produce  a  vine;  lower 

right,  Carpathian  Harebell,  a  Bellflower  of  use  for  edging. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  67 

most  the  entire  length  of  the  stem.  Caryopieris  Masiacanthus  (incana) 
is  the  common  species. 

Uses.  This  plant  is  excellent  to  place  in  front  of  tall,  white 
flowered  perennials.     It  is  sometimes  grown  in  pots. 

Culture.  It  requires  protection  in  the  AYinter  for  it  is  liable 
to  winterkill  in  the  North,  but  with  protection  from  the  cutting  north 
winds  and  good  drainage,  it  will  live  through  severe  Winters.  It  re- 
quires sunshine  and  a  sandy  loam. 

Propagation.  The  branches  root  easily  in  water.  It  is  propa- 
gated from  seeds  in  the  Spring  or  from  cuttings  taken  from  the  plant 
in  Sunnner  or  Fall. 


Cassia — American  Senna,  Indian  Senna 

A  bold  perennial  for  large  masses,  Cassia  marilandica  is  an  at- 
tractive addition  to  the  large  perennial  border.  The  flowers  are  pea-hke, 
yeUow,  with  a  dark  center  and  are  borne  in  large  clusters.  The  leaves 
are  locust-hke;  that  is,  they  are  finely  divided.  The  plants  grow 
4  feet  to  5  feet  taU  and  bloom  in  August  and  September. 

Uses.  Large  masses  planted  among  shrubbery  or  in  a  wide 
pereimial  border  are  attractive.  It  may  even  be  used  as  a  hedge,  for 
the  plants  are  rather  woody. 

Culture.  Give  the  plants  sun,  and  if  a  moist  soil  is  available, 
they  will  be  at  home  in  it. 

Propagation,  Cassias  produce  a  large  quantity  of  seed  which 
grows  readily  if  sown  as  soon  as  ripe.  The  woody  clumps  may  be 
divided  with  a  hatchet. 


Centaurea — Knapweed,  Hardy  Cornflower, 
Hardheads,  Mountain  Bluet 

The  Centaureas  are  some  of  the  most  graceful  flowers  to  grow  in 
any  garden.  The  flower  heads  are  hke  showy,  ragged  tliistle  blooms  of 
bright  red,  deep  purple,  golden  yellow  and  blue.  They  grow  from  2  feet 
to  3/^  feet  tall  and  bloom  during  the  Summer  months. 

Species.  The  Golden  Knapweed  {Centaurea  macrocephala)  is 
perhaps  the  showiest  of  all  because  the  thistle-hke,  golden  yellow  flower 
heads  are  very  large.  The  plant  itself  is  an  erect  and  somewhat  spindly 
grower  and  the  stems  are  stifl". 


68  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

The  Mountain  Bluet  (C.  montand)  has  numerous  deep  blue  flowers 
somewhat  resembling  the  annual  Cornflower  and  grows  l3^  feet  taU. 

The  Knapweed  (C.  dealhata)  has  flowers  which  are  Iflac-pink  to 
white  in  the  center,  or  a  bright  red.  This  species  seems  to  attract  the 
birds  when  the  seed  is  ripe,  thus  making  it  hard  to  save  the  seed. 

C.  babylonica  is  a  whitish  perennial  with  yellow  flowers  which 
grows  at  least  3  feet  tall. 

Several  of  the  species  are  known  as  Dusty  Millers;  the  fohage  is 
white  throughout  the  Summer.  C.  cineraria  (catalogued  as  can- 
didissima)  has  less  divided  leaves  than  the  other  common  species  C. 
gymnocarpa,  but  the  leaves  are  usuaUy  whiter. 

Uses.  Centaureas  are  used  for  the  perennial  border,  for  pots, 
baskets  and  the  rock  garden.  The  Golden  Knapweed  is  the  largest 
flowered  sort  and  is  most  attractive  planted  among  shrubs.  Most  of 
these  plants  produce  long  stemmed  and  lasting  flowers  which  are 
admirable  for  cutting. 

The  Dusty  MiUers  have  a  real  place  in  the  garden  for  there  is  no 
contrast  so  charming  as  that  between  the  bright  colors  of  most  peren- 
nials and  the  gray  or  whitish  leaves  of  these  plants.  They  may  be 
chpped  low  as  edging  plants. 

Culture.  Cetaureas  are  of  very  easy  culture.  They  bloom 
best  when  planted  in  an  open,  sunny  position,  with  any  good  garden 
soil.  Chp  back  the  Dusty  Millers  to  keep  them  at  the  desired  height 
and  form.    The  blooms  are  not  valuable. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  from  seeds,  although  some 
of  the  sorts  may  be  readily  divided.  The  Dusty  Miflers  are  increased 
both  by  seeds  and  cuttings. 

Cerastium — Snow-in-Summer,  Mouse-ear 
Chickweed 

Snow-in-Summer  is  surely  a  very  descriptive  name  for  this  low 
growing,  white  flowered  and  silvery  fohaged  plant.  There  are  myriads 
of  smaU  white  flowers  produced  in  June  from  a  dense  mat  of  growth. 
Cerastium  tomentosum  is  the  common  species  and  grows  about  6  inches 
high.  C.  Biehersteinii  is  very  similar  but  grows  a  little  taller  and  has 
larger  flowers.  C.  arvense  is  a  green  leaved  species  and  stands  the 
hot  Summers  better  than  the  other  two. 

Uses.  These  plants  are  invaluable  for  the  rockery  or  as  an 
edgmg  for  beds  and  borders.    They  are  also  excellent  to  plant  in  dry. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


69 


sunny  places  as  a  carpet  covering  lor  graves  or  sle(^p  l)anks.    The  leaves 
are  as  valuable  as  the  flower. 

Culture.    The  plants  are  very  easily  grown  in  any  soil. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  by  seeds,  cuttings  or  divi- 
sions of  the  plant.  The  plant  should  be  divided  very  early  in  the 
season,  either  with  or  without  roots,  and  planted  deeply  in  well  firmed 
soil  which  sould  be  kept  moist  until  roots  have  formed. 


Chelone — Shell  Flower,  Turtle  Head,  Snake  Head 

The  Chelone  is  sometimes  confused  with  the  Rearded  Tongue 
(Pentstemon),  to  which  it  is  closely  related.  It  is  a  late  Summer 
plant,  coming  into  bloom  about  the  middle  of  August  and  lasting  for 
six  or  seven  weeks.  The  Shell  Flow^er  (Chelone  glabra)  has  clusters  of 
flowers  of  a  light  creamy  white.  The  plants  grow  about  3  feet  tall. 
The  Turtle  Head  (C.  Lyonii)  has  rose-purple  flowers  which  grow  from 
a  mass  of  deep  green  leaves.  The  flowers  of  Chelone  are  inflated  and 
long,  tube-shaped,  somewhat  resembling  the  Snapdragon. 


^Ei^  j^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^l 

1^ 

K^l 

1-   ', 

1%  ^^^H 

Lift,  Snow-in-Summer  or  Cerastium,  snowy  masses  of  white  flowers  borne  upon 
low  plants  with  white  leaves;  riyht,  Coreopsis,  a  well-known  flower  for  cutting. 


70  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Uses.  Because  of  their  season  of  blooin  and  their  rather  attrac- 
tive colors,  they  make  good  plants  for  the  border,  or  to  plant  along 
streams.  S.  N.  Baxter  suggests  the  Shasta  Daisy  as  an  effective  fore- 
ground companion  plant. 

Culture.  Chelones  thrive  best  in  moist  or  swampy  places,  in 
half  shade.  They  are  easy  of  culture.  At  blooming  time,  they  should 
be  fertihzed  or  mulched  deeply  in  order  to  conserve  the  moisture. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  from  seeds,  cuttings  or 
divisions  of  the  roots  made  in  the  Spring. 

Chrysanthemums,  Hardy 

October  and  November  are  the  months  which  marshal  in  the 
Chrysanthemums  and  if  these  months  be  cold  and  rainy,  the  flowers 
do  not  develop  well,  but  if  the  days  are  warm  and  the  nights  frosty, 
but  not  freezing,  these  flowers  are  in  the  height  of  their  glory. 

"All  through  the  budding  Springtime, 
All  through  the  Summer's  heat, 
All  through  the  Autumn's  glory. 
They  hide  their  blossoms  sweet. 

"But  when  the  earth  is  lonely, 

And  the  bitter  north  winds  blow. 

With  a  smile  of  cheer  for  the  dear  old  year. 

The  lovely  Christ  flowers  blow." 

The  catalogs  are  now  listing  certain  varieties  such  as  Cranfordia, 
Normandie,  Ruth  Cumming,  Mme.  August  Nonin  and  Eden,  which  are 
known  as  early  flowering  varieties.  One  is  more  apt  to  get  blooms 
before  freezing  weather  when  these  sorts  are  grown.  Some  of  the 
earher  Pompons  of  the  florists  are  hardy  but  only  bloom  early  enough 
in  the  most  favorable  years.  Such  varieties  as  Lillian  Doty,  Garza, 
Golden  Climax,  Zenobia  and  Tiber  belong  to  this  group.  It  is  suggested 
that  for  the  most  northern  gardens  principaUy  the  earliest  sorts  be 
chosen,  for  it  is  a  great  disappointment  to  have  the  buds  freeze  just  ajs 
they  start  to  open.  However,  the  Pompon  group  wiU  actually  stand 
more  real  freezing  than  the  early  flowering  varieties. 

For  Shasta  Daisy,  see  p.  74;forPyrethrum,p.  146;  also  Daisy,  p.  74. 

Culture.  Chrysanthemums  wiU  grow  in  any  garden  soil  that 
is  rich  enough,  for  they  are  gross  feeders.  Buy  plants  in  early  Spring 
or  divide  old  plants  and  reset  each  Spring,  otherwise,  they  wiU  become 
too  crowded  and  impoverish  the  soil.    Extra  large  blooms  may  be  pro- 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  tl 

duced  by  feeding  with  liquid  manure  when  the  buds  appear.  Larger 
flowers  may  be  secured  by  pinching  ofi*  most  of  the  smaller  buds  on 
each  stem.  When  the  plants  make  too  rank  a  growth  early  in  the 
season  they  may  be  cut  back  to  cause  them  to  branch  and  become 
more  compact.  If  the  plants  are  thoroughly  soaked  with  water  once 
or  twice  a  week  during  the  hot  Summer,  they  will  please  us  by  produc- 
ing better  buds  and  flowers. 

Protect  the  plants  during  the  Fall  rains  and  from  the  frost  with  a 
canvas  covering.  Chrysanthemums  have  to  be  supported  by  tying  to 
stakes  or  to  wires  stretched  horizontaUy  above  the  bed.  Cover  with  a 
light  mulch  during  the  Winter.  The  mulch  should  be  more  of  the 
nature  of  a  sun  shade  rather  than  a  warm  covering.  It  is  easy  to  sufl'o- 
cate  the  plants. 

The  plants  are  frequently  troubled  with  mildew  which  can  be 
prevented  from  spreading  by  dusting  with  sulphur  early  in  the 
morning  when  the  dew  is  on  the  plants. 

Plants  afi'ected  with  Hce  should  be  sprayed  every  few  days  with 
Black  leaf  40  or  some  other  tobacco  extract  until  the  bugs  are  all  killed. 

Propagation.  The  simplest  method  of  increasing  the  number 
of  plants  is  to  divide  them  in  Spring.  One  can  make  cuttings,  how- 
ever, of  the  tops  of  the  growing  plants. 


Cimicifuga — Bugbane,  Bugwort,  Virginia 
Snakeroot,  Black  Cohosh 

To  all  persons  who  are  familiar  with  the  common  wild  or  native 
woodland  plants,  the  Snakeroot  is  weU  known.  This  Snakeroot 
(Cimicifuga  racemosa)  is  a  very  tafl,  late  blooming  plant,  growing  from 
4  feet  to  8  feet  taU  and  flowering  from  July  or  August  on.  The  large 
leaves  are  cut  very  deeply  and  the  flowers,  smaU,  white,  feathery  and 
closely  set,  are  borne  on  long  stalks.  Often  over  18  inches  of  the  stem 
is  in  bloom  at  one  time.  C.  dahurica  has  long  spikes  of  creamy-white 
flowers  in  September  and  grows  about  6  feet  tafl.  C.  simplex  is  the 
latest  sort  and  does  not  bloom  until  October,  and  its  graceful  stems  of 
white  flowers  are  only  2  feet  or  3  feet  high.  The  long  flowering  stems 
of  aU  the  Snakeroots  droop  slightly  and  give  the  plant  an  appearance 
of  dignity  and  statehness.     The  buds  are  hke  large  pearls. 

Uses.  AU  of  the  Snakeroots  are  suited  to  moist  and  shaded 
positions,  and  because  of  this,  they  naturalize  themselves  very  easily 
along  the  edge  of  woodlands.    The  taller  species  are  well  suited  for 


72  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

plantJDg  at  the  back  of  borders.    All  are  good  to  use  for  cut  flowers, 
but  C.  simplex  is  especially  so,  because  its  flowers  last  longer  when  cut. 

Culture.  Snakeroots  like  moist  conditions  which  are  partly 
shaded,  but  they  will  endure  the  sun.  They  thrive  best  in  rich,  leaf- 
mold  soils. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  by  division  of  the  plant  or 
by  seeds  sown  as  soon  as  ripe. 


Clematis — Shrubby  Virgin's  Bower 

We  shall  speak  here  not  of  the  climbing  Clematis,  but  of  the  lower 
growing  sorts  useful  for  massing,  all  of  which  form  dense  bushes 
2  feet  or  3  feet  tall. 

Clematis  Davidiana  blooms  nearly  all  Summer,  has  Hyacinth-like, 
bell-shaped,  pale  blue  or  lavender  blue  flowers  in  smaU  clusters,  which 
are  very  fragrant.  C.  heracleaefolia  is  very  simflar  but  with  paler 
flowers.  C.  recta  has  creamy-white,  fragrant  flowers,  opening  in  June 
and  July.  All  of  the  flower  clusters  are  showy  and  are  followed  by 
flufl'y  sflken  seed  heads.  The  leaves  stay  a  bright  dark  green  all 
Summer. 

Uses.  Many  of  the  species  are  desirable  for  cutting.  In  the 
garden  they  should  be  planted  in  masses  or  used  as  specimen  plants. 
C.  recta  is  especially  valued  for  large  masses  of  white  flowers. 

Culture.  These  plants  are  adapted  to  partial  shade.  They  pre- 
fer a  loam  soil  and  seem  to  hke  hme. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  by  division  of  the  plants 
or  by  cuttings. 


Convallaria — Lily  of  the  Valley,  May  Bells 

The  poet  has  given  the  name  to  the  Lily  of  the  Vafley,  and  the 
botanist,  not  as  prosaic  as  usual,  has  translated  the  name  to  the  Latin 
word  Convallaria. 

*'No  flower  amid  the  garden  fairer  grows 

Than  the  sweet  Lily  of  the  lowly  vale." 

Uses.     We  must  have  this  favorite  with  us  the  year  round.    In 

the  Winter  the  florist  grows  Lily  of  the  Valley  in  the  greenhouse  for 

weddings  and  for  bouquets  of  various  sorts.     When  they  bloom  in 

our  gardens  we  cherish  them  as  highly  as  any  other  flower  for  the 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  73 

lapel,  the  corsage  or  for  the  small  vase.  In  the  garden  they  grow  in 
the  shady  spots  where  some  other  flowers  become  pouty  and  will  not 
grow. 

Culture.  The  cultm'e  is  of  the  simplest.  Give  them  shade  and 
enrich  the  soil  with  manure  applied  in  the  Fall  as  a  mulch.  They  in- 
crease rapidly  and  need  to  be  replanted  every  three  or  four  years  in 
order  that  larfre  flowers  may  be  obtained. 

Propagation.  When  old  clumps  are  dug  they  naturaUy  fall 
apart  and  no  plant  could  be  easier  to  propagate. 


Coreopsis — Tickseed 

Coreopsis  is  surely  one  plant  that  should  be  in  every  garden  as 
it  is  one  of  the  most  popular  hardy,  yellow  flowers.  The  common 
name,  Tickseed,  is  very  appropriate,  because  the  seed  of  the  plant 
looks  hke  a  bug;  however,  the  flowers  are  exceedingly  attractive. 
They  first  begin  to  bloom  early  in  June  and  are  a  mass  of  gold  until 
the  frost  kiUs  them.  The  leaves  are  fight  green  and  narrow,  while  the 
flowers,  which  look  fike  a  Daisy,  are  golden  yellow  in  color  and  measure 
from  2  inches  to  3  inches  across.  The  plant  is  bushy  and  spreading 
and  the  stems  of  the  flowers  are  strong,  wiry  and  graceful.  Coreopsis 
lanceolata  grandiflora  is  the  species  most  worthy  of  cultivation.  The 
plants  attain  a  height  of  3  feet  and  are  especially  in  their  golden  glory 
during  June.  C.  verticillata  is  a  smafi  flowered  species  with  finely  cut 
fofiage.  The  plants  bloom  all  Summer  and  grow  12  feet  tall.  C.  rosea 
is  an  interesting  little  plant,  never  much  taller  than  a  foot,  and  with 
rosy -pink  flowers  and  fine  leaves.    This  sort  has  creeping  root  stocks. 

Uses.  C.  lanceolata  grandiflora  is  invaluable  for  use  as  cut  flower 
on  account  of  its  long,  wiry,  leafless  stems.  All  sorts  are  good  in  the 
border  where  huge  clumps  are  very  showy. 

Coreopsis  is  nearly  always  planted  in  front  of  Delphiniums,  and 
they  combine  well  with  Shasta  Daisies. 

Culture.  They  are  of  easiest  culture,  but  prefer  sunfight  and 
rich,  damp  soil.  The  flowers  must  be  kept  picked  in  order  to  insure  a 
long  blooming  period.  If  planted  on  the  north  side,  they  should  have 
sfight  Winter  protection,  such  as  coarse  straw  or  Pine  boughs. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  by  seeds  and  division  of  the 
plants.  If  the  seeds  are  sown  very  early,  the  plants  will  bloom  the 
first  year,  but  if  they  arc  planted  in  July  or  August,  the  plants  will 
bloom  the  succeeding  year.  Seeds  should  be  sown  every  year,  since 
the  older  plants  tend  to  get  woody  and  do  not  bloom  as  well. 


74 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 
Daisies 


The  word  "Daisy" 
was  formerly  written 
Day's  Eye,  and  the 
Daisies  are  really  well 
named,  for  there  is 
no  season  in  the  gar- 
den when  some  sort 
of  Daisy  is  not  in 
bloom. 

The  Shasta  Daisy, 
Chrysanthemum  maxi- 
mum, is  hke  a  field 
Daisy  seen  through  a 
magnifying  glass. 
Most  of  us  like  the 
bright,  Daisy-like 
flowers  and  we  are 
dehghted  with  the 
Shasta  Daisy  because 
it  blooms  so  freely 
and  has  long  stems 
useful  for  cutting.  As 
garden  subjects  they 
are  low  growing  and 
are  charming  for  use 
as  edging  plants.  They  are  readily  propagated,  both  by  seeds  and 
division  of  the  plants.  Dampness  in  the  Winter,  not  cold,  injures  them. 
If  a  light  covering  of  straw  is  given  during  the  Winter  they  will  be 
well  protected,  but  a  thick  covering  will  do  more  harm  than 
good. 

The  Giant  Daisy  {Chrysanthemum  uliginosum)  has  a  white  flower, 
but  diff'ers  from  the  field  Daisy  in  that  the  plants  are  4  feet  to  7  feet 
taU.  They  are  propagated  by  seeds  or  division  and  it  is  said  that  they 
bloom  the  first  year  from  seed.  They  are  good  background  perennials 
and  are  also  useful  for  cut  flowers.  Low,  moist  places  are  ideal  for  this 
Daisy.    They  are  successfully  naturahzed. 

For  Pink  Daisy,  see  Pyrethrum,  p.  146,  and  English  Daisy,  see 
Bellis,  p.  58. 


Shasta  Daisy,   the  giant  among  fortune   tellers. 


INOIEWORJ'HY  PERENNIALS  75 

Daphne — Garland  Flower 

The  Sweet  scent  of  the  Daphnes,  together  with  the  fact  that  one 
sort  is  evergreen  and  another  blooms  in  Midwinter,  endears  the  Daphne 
to  the  lover  of  garden  gems.  These  plants  are  really  shrubs,  but  because 
of  their  low  growth  and  general  habit,  they  more  closely  resemble  the 
herbaceous  perennials. 

Daphne CneorumiGaildind  Flower).  The  bright  pink,  four-parted, 
fragrant  flowers  and  evergreen  leaves  combine  to  make  this  plant  truly 
beautiful.  The  plants  are  hardly  a  foot  tall  and  bloom  in  April  and  in 
October. 

Daphne  Mezereum  (Spurge  Flax),  not  being  evergreen,  surprises 
us  by  producing  lilac-purple  flowers  any  time  from  February  to  April. 
Tliis  sort  grows  3  feet  tall. 

Uses.  The  Daphnes  are  adapted  to  the  border,  although  the 
Garland  Flower  is  admirably  adapted  to  a  rock  garden. 

Culture.  They  grow  in  full  sun  or  partial  shade  and  light  soils. 
Give  them  protection  in  Winter. 

Propagation.  One  can  layer  branches  of  the  Garland  Flower  in 
the  Spring,  but  the  Spurge  Flax  is  not  readily  propagated  by  the 
amateur. 


Delphinium — Larkspur 

Old  John  Parkinson,  nearly  300  years  ago,  wrote  "Wee  call 
them  in  Enghsh  Larkes  heeles,  Larkes  spurres,  Larkes  toes  or 
claws."  The  Larkspur  is  surely  one  of  the  oldest  old-fashioned 
flowers  but  it  is  becoming  more  popular  today  than  ever.  How 
choice  are  its  colors!  How  suggestive  is  the  word  "lark"  in 
christening  this  flower,  as  the  lark  comes  from  the  sky,  so  comes 
also  the  color  of  the  Larkspur.  From  the  azure  of  the  sky  to  the  deep 
blues  of  the  ocean  depths  is  its  range  of  blue.  But  blues  are 
not  the  only  colors;  there  are  the  pastel  shades,  not  blue,  nor  pink, 
which  suggest  the  combinations  of  color  in  Copenhagen  pottery. 
There  are  the  dainty  double  pink  sorts  which  suggest  magnificent 
brocades.  And  what  gems  we  find!  Deep  sapphires,  superb  amethysts, 
subtle  turquoises  and  rich  garnets.  Like  tiny  peace  doves  are  the  white 
sorts. 


7G 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


And  in  form,  how  diverse!  We  see  the  dolphin  in  the  unopen  bud. 
We  note  a  bee  gathering  nectar  from  a  bloom  and  find,  instead,  that 
it  is  the  hairy  petals  at  its  center.  We  regard  the  tall  spikes  and  see 
them  covered  by  countless  horns-of-plenty,  some  of  them  pouring  gold. 
Uses.  Can  a  garden  be  planted  without  Larkspurs?  Foliage 
flower,  habit  and  all,  every  garden  lover  must  have  them.  The  tall, 
the  short,  the  perennial,  the  annual— they  are  indispensable  in  their 
chosen  places.  Consider  the  long  season  of  pleasure  at  seeing  them  in 
full  splendor.  Day  after  day  in  June,  July,  and  often  in  September, 
new  spikes  open  their  blossoms.  Erect  and  stately  against  a  fence, 
majestic  accents  in  a  mixed  border,  sturdy  and  hardy  in  the  cottage 
garden,  as  well  as  modest  and  delicate  in  the  beds  of  annuals,  the 
Larkspurs  are  incomparable. 

Varieties.  The  catalogs  should  be  consulted  for  varieties  of 
Larkspurs;  there  are  many  very  superior  named  sorts  and  in  all  cases 
more  to  be  trusted  for  color  and  habit  than  plants  grown  from  seed. 

The  modern  race  has 
been  greatly  improved 
through  years  of  ef- 
fort, especially  in  Eng- 
land. Recently  we  in 
America  are  develop- 
ing varieties  of  our 
own  which  are  better 
suited  to  our  climate. 
Besides  the  tall  sorts, 
the  garden  lover 
should  note  the 
Chinese  Larkspur 
fisted  in  his  catalog. 
This  is  a  true  joy  as 
it  blooms  throughout 
the  Summer,  yielding 
short  stems  crowded 
with  white,  pink  or 
violet  flowers.  The 
Chinese  Larkspurs  dif- 
fer from  most  other 
perennial  sorts  by 
having  finely  divided 
leaves.     The  real  en- 

A  noble  clump  of  hardy  Larkspur  thusiast  is  tomptod  by 


53 

Ifcll 

•■■-4^    -? 

f^i"-^^ 

'^•;1 

4 

r:'^MM 

m 

h 

^^m 

m^^fs^^^^^m 

■4 

NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  77 

n'adin^^  the  descriptions  in  the  (•atal()|,^s  of  certain  sorts  Hsted  as  Del- 
phinium nudicaule,  a  dwarf  orange-scarlet,  D.  Zalil,  a  yellow,  D.  car- 
dinale,  a  bright  red.  These  sorts  do  not  have  the  robust  constitution 
nor  the  hardiness  of  the  other  kinds  but  they  are  worth  trying. 

Culture.  Delphiniums  like  plenty  of  sun.  The  soil  should  be 
rich,  deeply  prepared,  a  cool,  friable  loam.  Even  hot,  sandy  soils,  if 
watered  and  fertilized,  will  produce  excellent  results.  Moisture  will 
increase  the  size  of  the  flowers  and  spikes.  Cultivate  the  plants  con- 
stantly with  the  hoe.  Many  of  the  taller  sorts  are  benefited  by  being 
staked.  If  the  plants  are  cut  back  after  blooming  and  given  a  period 
of  rest,  during  which  they  are  neither  watered  nor  cultivated,  then  if 
given  bonemeal  and  an  abundance  of  water,  they  will  send  up  a  second 
crop  of  bloom  in  the  Fall.  Some  persons  beheve  that  this  weakens  the 
plants.  No  seed  should  be  allowed  to  form  to  keep  the  plants  in  a 
blooming  condition. 

Troubles.  Some  of  the  best  sorts  are  frequently  troubled  with 
blight  so  that  they  sometimes  live  only  a  few  years.  Dig  dry  Rordeaux 
Mixture  about  the  crowns  or  spray  weekly  with  ammoniacal  copper 
carbonate.  In  fact,  keep  the  plants  covered  with  this  spray  from 
early  Spring  until  Fall.  The  foliage  is  blackened  by  blight.  If  you 
suspect  that  blight  is  in  your  soil,  use  bonemeal  as  a,  fertilizer,  but 
never  use  manure. 

Sometimes  cut  worms  and  slugs  eat  the  crowns  of  Delphiniums, 
so  that  it  is  wise  to  cover  the  crowns  of  the  plants  with  ashes  at  the 
approach  of  Winter.  Also  use  a  poisoned  bait  spread  at  intervals  near 
the  plants. 

Propagation.  Larkspur  seed  over  a  year  old  will  not  grow. 
Except  for  D.  grandiflorum,  the  Chinese  Larkspur,  the  seedlings  will 
not  produce  flowers  the  first  year  unless  sown  in  March  in  a  hotbed  or 
sunny  window.  Usually,  however,  fresh  seed  is  sown  in  August,  in 
which  case  they  w  ill  bloom  the  next  year. 

Divide  the  plants  every  three  or  four  years  in  order  to  keep  them 
from  exhausting  the  soil  and  becoming  too  compact  in  growth. 

The  double  sorts,  which  produce  no  seed,  may  be  rooted  from 
cuttings.  Some  persons  are  successful  in  rooting  these  in  frames  during 
Spring.  Samuel  N.  Raxter  in  the  Florists  Exchange  advises  bury- 
ing the  cuttings  in  a  heap  of  soil,  head  first,  with  only  the  cut  ends 
exposed.  The  drying  of  the  wounds  for  several  days  causes  them  to 
root  more  easily. 


78 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Dianthus — Hardy  Pinks,  Sweet  William,  Maiden 

Pink,  Grass  Pink,  Pheasant's  Eye,  Chinese 

Pink,  Picotee,  Carnation,  Clove  Pink 

The  Pinks  and  the  Sweet  Williams  are  still  one  of  the  old-fashioned 
favorites  for  the  garden.  There  are  many  species  and  varieties,  nearly 
all  of  which  make  dense  tufts  of  grass-like  growth. 

The  Sweet  William  (Di- 
anthus barbaius)  is  gorgeous 
when  in  bloom.  The  early 
English  writers  used  to  tell  us 
that  the  narrow-leaved  varie- 
ties were  called  Sweet  Johns 
and  the  broad-leaved  sorts 
Sweet  WiUiams.  However, 
the  sweetness  and  beauty  of 
the  flowers  compensate  for  the 
lack  of  knowledge  about  their 
namesakes.  The  color  scheme 
ranges  from  purest  white  to 
blackest  red  with  an  infinite 
number  of  variations  and  com- 
binations of  colors.  The  pink 
sort,  known  as  Newport  Pink, 
is  a  very  desirable  one  with  a 
distinct  new  color  which  flo- 
rists call  watermelon-pink  or 
salmony-rose.  The  Sweet 
WilMams  grow  from  1  foot  to 
\}/^  feet  tafl  and  bloom  all  Sunmier.  The  flowers  are  arranged  in  large 
clusters  of  bloom  and  those  which  are  ringed  and  spotted  are  very  novel. 

The  Glove  or  Garden  Pinks  (/).  plumarius)  are  low  growing 
plants  which  bloom  in  early  Spring.  The  single  and  double  flowers 
have  fringed  or  jagged  petals  and  are  very  fragrant.  The  colors  range 
from  white  to  bright  scarlet  and  are  very  dainty,  growing  above  a  dense 
tuft  of  gray-green,  grass-hke  leaves. 

The  Ghinese  Pinks  {D.  chinensis,  var  Heddewigii)  is  a  biennial; 
that  is,  the  seeds  must  be  planted  every  year  in  order  to  have  flowers 
the  next.  They  also  have  a  wide  range  of  color  and  markings  and  are 
very  popular.   The  double  forms  are  especially  attractive  and  the  petals 


Sweet  William,  an  old  favorite  appearing 
at  its  best. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


79 


Clove  Pink.      Incomparable  for  edging. 


are  often  deeply  and  oddly  cut.  These  sorts  lack  fragrance.  They 
bloom  later  than  the  others  and  last  till  frost-time. 

Another  interesting  sort  with  flowers  much  like  a  Carnation  is  D. 
latifoliiis  atrococcineus,  the  Everblooming  Sweet  WiUiam,  which  has 
intense  crimson,  double  flowers.  The  plants  grow  18  inches  tall 
and  are  constantly  in  bloom  in  Summer. 

Among  the  dwarf  varieties  are  foimd  the  Maiden  Pink  (D.  del- 
toides),  a  dwarf  trailer  with  rosy-pink  or  white  flowers  which  open 
from  June  to  August. 

Uses.  The  Pinks  are  very  fragrant  and  free  bloomers.  They  are 
good  for  cutting,  and  for  the  rock  garden,  together  with  the  drawfer 
sorts.    All  are  good  for  edgings  or  to  use  in  borders. 

Culture.  AU  of  the  above  Pinks,  are  of  easy  culture  and  except 
for  the  Sweet  William  and  the  Chinese  Pinks,  last  for  many  years.  All 
like  a  warm  soil  and  one  that  wiU  not  become  too  wet  at  any  time. 
The  plants  will  die  out  quickly  if  the  soil  is  not  weU  drained.  They 
should  be  divided  often,  else  the  plants  will  choke  themselves  out. 
The  Sweet  William  should  be  treated  as  a  biennial,  sowing  the  seed 
each  year.  When  not  propagated  each  year  the  plants  and  flowers 
are  not  as  large. 


80 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Propagation.  These  plants  often  self-sow.  They  are  all  readily 
propagated  from  seeds  sown  in  rieh  soil  in  April  or  May,  although  good 
sized  plants  may  be  grown  from  seed  sown  in  Midsummer.  The  double 
sorts  must  be  propagated  from  cuttings  if  they  are  to  come  true.  Layer- 
ing has  proven  the  easiest  and  surest  way  of  propagating  the  Garden 
Pinks  (D.  plumarius). 

i 

Dicentra  and  Dielytra — Includes  Bleeding  Heart, 

Squirrel's  Corn,  Dutchman's  Breeches 

The  grace  of  the  Dicentras  charms  us  whether  in  the  woods  or  the 
garden. 

The  Bleeding  Heart,  Dicentra  {Dielytra)  spedahilis  is  one  of  our 
most  showy  old-fashioned  flowers  which  everyone  loves.  It  grows 
from  2  feet  to  4  feet  tall  and  spreads  out  almost  the  same  distance. 
The  leaves,  which  are  alight,  transparent  green,  are  very  neat,  ex- 
ceedingly graceful  and  very  fern-like.  The  flowers  are  heart-shaped, 
varying  from  a  light  pink  to  a  rosy-crimson  in  color,  and  are  produced 
in  sprays  along  the  stems.  Have  you  ever  taken  one  of  these  flowers 
apart  to  discover  many  interesting  things— the  two  rabbits,  a  harp, 


Right,  Bleeding  Heart  or  Dicentra,  an  old-fashioned  flower  of  quaint  charm;  left, 
Gas  Plant  or  Fraxinella,  interesting  not  only  for  its  flowers,  but  also  for  its  seed 

capsules. 


NOTE\yORTHY  PERENNIALS  81 

i,'randpa's  glasses  and  a  bottle?  The  Bleed ini;  Heart  is  closely  related 
to  many  of  our  daintiest  woodland  flowers. 

The  Squirrel's  Corn  (D.  canadensis)  has  small  tubers  resembling  a 
kernel  of  Corn,  the  wliite  flowers  tipped  with  rose.  The  Dutchman's 
Breeches  (D.  Cucullaria)  has  white  flowers  tipped  with  creamy  yellow, 
the  flowers  closely  resembling  their  namesake.  Both  of  these  sorts 
are  natives. 

The  Plumy  Bleeding  Heart  (D.  eximia)  is  said  to  have  the  hand- 
somest foliage  of  any  border  plant.  Its  flowers  are  rosy-pink  and 
it  is  in  bloom  from  May  through  August.  It  grows  9  to  12  inches 
tall  and  is  a  most  worthy  plant.  The  other  Dicentras  bloom  earher — 
in  April,  May  and  June. 

The  Golden  Ear-drops  (Z).  chrysantha)  has  golden  yellow  flowers, 
but  is  not  so  well  known  as  the  other  native  ones. 

Uses.  The  Bleeding  Heart  is  fine  for  the  border  or  margins  of 
shrubbery.  It  is  also  grown  as  a  pot  plant  and  it  forces  so  well  that  it  is 
useful  as  a  window  plant.  The  native  or  woodland  species  naturalize 
beautifuUy  along  woodland  walks,  in  the  rock  garden  or  in  beds  of 
ferns. 

Culture.  As  soon  as  the  flowers  of  the  Dicentras  have  finished 
blooming,  the  foliage  dies  down.  This  makes  it  difficult  to  keep  track 
of  the  various  sorts  unless  they  are  in  locations  not  easily  forgotten. 
They  are  very  easy  of  culture,  doing  weU  in  either  shady  or  sunny 
positions,  although  they  are  more  at  home  in  the  shade.  They  hke 
a  rich,  light  soil. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  from  seeds,  division  of  the 
roots,  or  from  young  shoots  which  start  from  the  soil  in  early  Spiing. 
These  shoots  or  the  roots  should  be  divided  just  before  they  start 
growth. 


Dictamnus — Gas  Plant,  Burning  Bush,  Dittany 

The  Gas  Plant  is  surely  one  of  our  most  interesting  plants.  The 
glossy,  leathery  leaves  are  dark  green  and  retain  their  deep  color  until 
late  in  FaU.  The  white,  pink  and  purplish-brown  flowers  are  borne 
on  spikes  2  feet  to  3  feet  high.  Both  the  foliage  and  flowers  are  fragrant 
and  when  the  parts  are  crushed  in  the  hand,  they  have  the  fragrance 
of  a  lemon.  The  Gas  Plant  begins  blooming  shortly  after  Memorial 
Day,  and  the  seeds  ripen  about  the  middle  of  August.  The  whole 
plant  gives  off"  a  strong,  volatile  oil  which  will  give  a  flash  of  light  if  a 
lighted  match  is  held  under  the  clusters  of  seed  capsules  on  a  sultry 


82  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Summer  evening.  This  Gas  Plant  (Didamnus  albus  or  Fraxinella)  is  a 
very  strong  grower  and  when  once  estabhshed,  many  dozen  stalks  of 
bloom  can  be  had  to  a  single  plant. 

Uses.  Because  of  its  large  trusses  of  flowers  and  fascinating  odor, 
the  Gas  Plant  always  finds  a  place  in  the  hardy  border,  or  as  a  single 
specimen.    They  make  excellent  cut  flowers. 

Culture.  The  Gas  Plant  dislikes  disturbance  very  much.  When 
once  planted  it  should  be  left  in  the  same  position  always,  for  as  the 
plants  grow  older  they  will  then  produce  many  more  and  taUer  flower 
stems.  They  require  hardly  any  care,  but  prefer  a  rather  heavy  and 
moderately  rich  soil  in  an  open,  sunny  position.  When  once  established 
drought  does  not  aff'ect  them. 

Propagation.  They  are  more  easily  raised  from  seeds  than  by 
root  division.  The  seeds  should  be  sown  as  soon  as  they  are  ripe  in  the 
Fall.  If  the  seed  is  sown  in  the  Spring,  pour  boiling  water  over  them 
first,  or  they  will  not  germinate  easily.  It  takes  from  two  to  four  years 
for  the  flower  spikes  to  appear  on  young  plants.  The  roots,  being  very 
hard,  may  be  divided  with  difficulty. 


Doronicum — Leopard's  Bane 

The  Leopard's  Bane  is  one  of  the  few  hardy  plants  which  blossom 
very  early  in  the  Spring  and  continues  into  the  Autumn.  It  grows 
about  2  feet  high  and  has  broad,  oblong  leaves  of  a  rich,  soft  green 
color  which  appear  with  the  first  signs  of  Spring.  The  single  flowers 
are  produced  on  long,  stiff"  stems  and  resemble  a  very  large  yellow  Daisy 
with  a  yeUow  center.  In  fact,  these  are  the  earhest  yellow  Daisy-like 
flowers.  Doronicum  plantagineum  excelsum  is  the  most  commonly  cul- 
tivated sort.  The  flowers  are  4  inches  in  diameter  and  the  plants 
grow  3  feet  to  4  feet  taU.  They  begin  to  bloom  in  early  Spring  and 
continue  through  the  Smimtier.  D.  caucasicum  grows  12  inches  to 
18  inches  tall.  The  catalogs  also  include  D.  austraiacum  and  D.  Clusii 
as  being  good  sorts. 

Uses.  Because  of  their  long,  straight  stems,  they  make  exceUent 
cut  flowers  and  they  last  for  a  number  of  days  when  placed  in  water. 
Because  of  their  rich  golden  color,  they  are  splendid  for  the  border, 
for  they  begin  blooming  when  yeUow  flowers  are  rather  scarce.  If 
placed  in  pots,  they  can  be  easily  forced  into  flower  during  the  Winter 
months  for  the  window  garden.  They  succeed  well  when  planted 
aniOTig  the  Spring  bulbous  flowers  and  shrubs  or  in  the  rock  garden,  and 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


83 


they  are  equally  attractive  wlien  planted  in  masses  or  when  used  as 
single  plants. 

Culture.  They  grow  readily  anywhere  if  planted  in  rich  loam 
and  are  equally  good  in  shady  or  sunny  positions. 

Propagation.  The  plants  should  be  divided  soon  after  they 
finish  flowering. 


Digitalis — Foxglove,  Witches'  Thimbles 

"The  Foxglove,  in  whose  drooping  bells  the  bee 
Makes  her  sweet  music." 

— B.  Cornwall 

A  well  grown  Foxglove  in  full  flower  is  a  plant  of  dignity  and 
beauty.  The  long  flowering  spikes  grow  from  3  feet  to  6  feet  tall, 
rising  high  above  large  clumps  of  broad,  downy  leaves.  Upon  the 
flowering  stalk,  the 
flowers  open  slowly 
as  the  impulse  to 
bloom  moves  upward. 
This  tends  to  length- 
en the  blooming  sea- 
son. The  flowers  are 
tubular  or  beU-shaped 
and  hang  closely  on 
one  side  of  the  stem 
so  that  sometimes 
four  rows  try  to  oc- 
cupy the  same  posi- 
tion. This  arrange- 
ment is  more  ap- 
parent than  real,  for 
the  flowers  reaUy  or- 
iginate on  all  sides  of 
the  stem,  but  the 
short  stems  somehow 
twist  around  so  that 
they  all  seem  to  be 
on  one  side.  These 
spikes  which  are  so 
tall  and   erect,   bear 

the      SmaH,      thimble-  a   ma...  of  Foxgloves  we  all  may  have. 


84  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

like  flowers  in  many  colors — white,  lilac,  purple,  rose  and  yellow — 
with  odd  and  various  shadings  and  markings.  They  bloom  in  June 
and  July. 

D.  purpurea  is  the  commoner  sort  and  bears  purple  to  white 
flowers.  There  is,  however  an  interesting  form  of  D.  purpurea,  known 
as  Monstrosa,  or  the  Mammoth  Foxglove,  which  has  a  large  saucer- 
shaped  flower  surmounting  the  spike. 

D.  grandi flora  (ambigua)  is  the  yeflow^  flowered  species.  It  has 
smaller,  narrower  leaves  and  does  not  attain  the  height  of  D.  purpurea. 

The  Wooly  Foxglove  (D.  lanata)  is  an  interesting  sort  with  long, 
dense  spikes  of  smafl,  grayish  flowers  marked  with  yellow.  This  sort 
does  not  resemble  the  other  Foxgloves. 

Uses.  They  are  planted  in  masses  in  the  garden  among  the 
shrubs,  in  solid  beds,  in  the  border,  in  the  orchard  or  naturahzed  on  the 
edge  of  the  woods  or  along  brooks.  Wherever  they  are  planted,  they 
give  an  appearance  of  strength  and  dignity.  They  are  exceflent  for 
decorations  where  tall-spiked  flowers  are  needed. 

Foxgloves  are  beautifully  combined  with  Sweet  Williams  and 
Hardy  Grass  Pinks.    A  whole  border  of  this  combination  is  suggested. 

Foxgloves  need  no  edging  plants  as  their  foliage  is  most  attractive, 
even  at  the  soil. 

Culture.  Foxgloves  succeed  well  in  any  garden  soil  which  has 
been  enriched  with  old  manure.  They  naturalize  very  readily  in  half- 
shaded  positions,  but  will  grow  in  full  sunhght  if  the  ground  is  moist. 
If  the  main  flow ering  stem  is  cut  after  it  has  finished  blooming,  many 
others  will  come  up.  Liquid  manure  should  be  given  to  the  plants 
during  the  flowering  season.  They  require  a  light  Winter  protection, 
which  must  not  be  given,  however,  until  after  a  good  freezing  of  the 
soil.  Dry  leaves  or  pine  boughs  will  serve  as  a  sufficient  covering  for 
the  fohage.  Dampness,  either  from  ill-drained  soil  or  too  much  mulch- 
ing, will  injure  the  plants  quicker  than  anything  else.  The  leaves  must 
be  kept  dry  and  on  mild  days  plenty  of  air  should  be  given  to  prevent 
sweating  and  heating. 

Propagation.  Foxgloves  are  propagated  most  easily  from  seeds 
which  should  be  sown  every  year  in  order  to  have  blooming  plants  the 
next  year.  The  Foxgloves  are  treated  as  biennials.  The  seed  should  be 
sown  in  late  Summer  or  Fall  and  wintered  over  in  the  coldframe. 
When  the  plants  are  once  estabfished  they  should  not  be  disturbed, 
although  new  plants  can  be  started  by  root  division. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  85 

Echinacea — Purple  Cone  Flower 

The  bold  and  hearty  character  of  the  Purple  Cone  Flower  makes 
it  a  striking  plant.  The  flowers  are  rosy  purple  with  dark,  stifl\  quill- 
like centers  touched  with  golden  crimson.  Echinacea  purpurea  is  the 
common  sort  and  is  frequently  listed  in  catalogs  under  Rudbeckia 
purpurea.  Sometimes  when  plants  are  raised  from  seed  objectionable 
muddy  colors  are  obtained  which  are  not  worthy  a  place  in  the  garden. 
The  plants  grow  3  feet  to  4  feet  tall  and  bloom  from  July  until  frost. 
The  leaves  are  large  and  thick. 

Uses.  The  drooping  character  of  the  rosy-purple  petals  give  them 
a  distinctive  character  in  the  border,  although  the  color  at  best  is 
difficult  to  combine  with  other  flowers. 

Culture.  They  will  tolerate  dry,  sun-baked  locations  but  are 
better  in  good  soil. 

Propagation.  The  easiest  method  of  increasing  these  plants  is 
to  divide  the  clumps. 


Echinops — Globe  Thistle 

The  Globe  Thistle  is  very  interesting  if  one  likes  thorny,  prickly 
plants.  The  leaves  are  large,  deeply  cut  and  very  prickly.  The  stems 
are  silver-white,  while  the  flowers  are  either  white  or  a  grayish  metallic- 
blue.  The  flower  heads  are  round  Uke  a  ball  and  are  entirely  covered 
with  needle-hke  thistles.  All  of  the  species  bloom  from  June  or  July 
through  September.  Echinops  Hiiro  has  deep  steel  blue  flowers  and 
grows  about  3  feet  high.  E.  sphserocephalus  is  the  tallest  growing 
species,  attaining  a  height  of  from  5  feet  to  7  feet  with  large,  white 
flowers. 

Uses.  All  the  Globe  Thistles  are  distinctive  plants  and  are  well 
adapted  to  plant  in  borders,  among  shrubbery  or  to  use  as  bold  speci- 
men plants.  The  flower  heads,  which  are  excellent  for  cutting,  can  be 
dried  and  will  remain  attractive  for  months.  They  are  also  suitable 
for  naturahzing  in  wild  gardens. 

Culture.  They  are  of  easiest  culture,  growing  best  in  a  light 
soil. 

Propagation.     They  are  propagated  by  seeds  and  division. 


86 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Upper  left,  Leopard's  Bane  or  Doronicum,  a  glorious,  Daisy-like  flower  of  April; 
upper  right,  Globe  Thistle  or  Echinops,  unique  and  "something  different"  for  the 
border;  lower  left,  Gaillardia  or  Blanket  Flower,  bright  and  showy  flowers  in  keep- 
ing with  the  Fall  season;  Zouer  right,  Purple  Cone  Flower  or  Echinacea,  with  its 
high,  quill-like  center. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  87 

Edelweiss 

Everyone  knows  of  the  fame  of  the  small  Edelweiss  of  the  Alps 
and  every  tourist  who  travels  through  Switzerland  learns  the  mysterious 
story  of  how  they  grow  under  overhanging  chfTs  which  means  the  risk 
of  hfe  when  one  wishes  to  get  them.  But  ideal  plants  can  be  grown  in 
our  own  garde^ns  just  as  easily  as  any  other  plant.  They  are  one  of  the 
hardiest  of  plants  and  withstand  severe  Winters.  The  plant  is  low, 
growing  from  4  inches  to  12  inches  high,  and  is  densely  covered  with  a 
whitish  wool.  The  leaves  are  silvery-gray  and  lie  almost  flat  on  the 
ground.  From  the  center  grows  a  flower  stem  which  has  three  or  four 
star-like  flowers.  The  true  flowers  themselves  are  small  and  incon- 
spicuous, but  they  are  surrounded  by  this  star-like  cluster  of  wooly 
leaves.  This  Edelweiss  is  called  Leontopodium  (Gnaphalium)  alpinum,  a 
sort  6  inches  taU,  bearing  three  or  four  flowers.  L.  sibiricum  has 
flowers  twice  the  size  of  the  Alpine  Edelweiss  but  without  the  senti- 
mental associations. 

Uses.    This  is  an  ideal  plant  for  the  rockery. 

Culture.  If  these  plants  are  placed  where  they  will  be  exposed 
fully  to  the  sun,  they  wiU  be  a  greenish  gray,  but  they  will  be  a  creamy 
white  if  planted  in  partial  shade.  Any  good  sandy  garden  soil  will  do 
in  which  some  Umestone  has  been  mixed.  If  the  plant  is  placed  be- 
tween two  rather  closely  fitting  rocks  with  plenty  of  sandy  soil  beneath, 
it  will  succeed  nearly  as  well  as  it  does  in  the  Alps. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  by  seeds  sown  indoors  in 
early  Spring  to  be  placed  in  the  open  border  about  the  first  of  May; 
or  by  division  of  the  roots  in  the  FaU. 


Epimedium — Bishop's  Hat,  Barrenwort 

After  reading  the  description  of  the  Epimedium  by  Miss  M.  R. 
Case  in  "Horticulture,"  we  have  decided  to  abandon  all  hopes  of 
describing  this  dainty  flower  in  our  own  crude  words.    She  writes: 

"Blossoming  under  a  great  Oak,  where  Maidenhair  and  Dicksonia 
ferns  grow  to  perfection,  is  a  dainty  herb  from  Japan  known  as  the  Bishop's 
Hat,  from  the  square,  flat  shape  of  its  blossoms. 

"The  blossoms  are  in  loose  sprays  which  branch  ofi"  from  the  main  stems 
2  inches  below  where  the  main  stem  divides  into  the  three  sprays  which 
bear  the  leaves.  They  come  in  buff"  or  soft  yellow,  maiive  and  white. 
The  one  which  has  done  the  best  at  Hillcrest,  Epimedium  macranthum, 
gives  the  bishop  a  yellow  lining  to  his  dark  red  hat.     It  is  well  arranged 


88  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

for  his  grace's  comfort,  as  under  the  square,  flat  hat  is  a  little  cap  to  hold 
it  well  in  place.  It  is  so  pretty  a  hat  that  we  hope  it  is  in  the  ritual  of  the 
floral  world  for  it  to  be  worn  in  the  ceremonies  of  their  service. 

"The  loose  spray  of  blossoms  is  6  inches  long  from  where  it  branches 
from  the  main  stem.  The  whole  plant  is  more  than  a  foot  in  height;  the 
single  flower  about  the  size  of  a  dime.  The  pretty  red  buds  are  on  the 
spray  with  the  flowers. 

"The  leaves  are  a  soft  yellow  green,  parallel  veined  and  pointed  at  the 
apex.  The  main  stem  divides  into  three  sprays  for  the  leaves.  The  whole 
plant  has  an  airy,  unusual  and  very  pleasing  effect.  The  old  leaves  persist 
on  the  stems  through  the  Winter  and  have  to  be  gathered  with  the  Spring 
litter  from  the  gardens. 

"It  should  not  be  confused  with  the  Bishop's  Gap,  Mitrewort  or  Mit- 
ella,  which  more  nearly  resembles  the  Tiarella  or  Foam  Flower.  His  Grace, 
the  Bishop,  is  well  adorned  in  Puritan  New  England." 

Some  of  the  species  are£J.  alpinum,  with  gray,  crimson  and  yellow 
flowers;  E.  macranthum,  with  hlac  flowers;  E.  niveum,  with  white  flowers, 
and  E.  Musschianum,  with  golden  yellow  blossoms. 

Uses.  There  is  probably  no  other  flower  which  lasts  so  long  in 
water  as  do  the  Bishop's  Hats.  If  they  are  picked  close  to  the  ground 
when  the  leaves  are  mature,  they  wiU  last  at  least  two  months  in  water. 
They  are  good  for  pot  plants  and  for  the  border  where  they  should 
reaUy  be  planted  in  masses  in  order  that  their  delicate  flowers  may  be 
appreciated.     They  are  excellent  plants  for  the  rockery. 

Culture.  They  prefer  a  moist,  sandy  loam  and  partial  shade. 
If  planted  in  the  rockery,  they  must  not  get  too  dry.  The  soil  should 
not  be  disturbed  around  them  at  any  time,  as  it  injures  the  roots. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  by  dividing  the  roots. 
This  can  be  done  in  either  FaU  or  Spring. 


Erigeron — Fleabane 

The  Erigeron  has  Aster-like  flowers  which  are  in  bloom  during  the 
Summer  months.  The  difl'erent  species  vary  in  height  from  5  inches  to 
3  feet.  The  flowers  grow  from  small  tufts  of  leaves,  somewhat  like  the 
EngUsh  Daisy  (Bellis)  and  the  blooms  of  the  taller  varieties  measure 
2  inches  and  !^3^  inches^  across.  The  colors  are  violet-blue,  bright  pur- 
ple, apricot,  rose  and  rosy  lavender  and  these  colored  petals  surround 
a  golden  yellow  center. 

Erigeron  speciosus  is  the  commonest  cultivated  sort.  It  has 
bright  purple  flowers,  grows  2  feet  tall,  and  blooms  all  Summer.  E. 
glabellus  is  a  dwarf  sort  growing  from  G  inches  to  12  inches  tall  and  with 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  89 

large,  light  purple  flowers.  E.  aurandarus  is  possibly  the  showiest  one 
with  deep  orange  flowers  and  is  known  as  the  Double  Orange  Daisy. 
All  of  the  Erigerons  spread  to  form  dense  bushes  of  growth  and  the 
flowers  are  in  groups  of  from  three  to  five  to  a  stem  or  head. 

Uses,  The  Erigerons  are  fine  to  use  for  eut  flowers  and  are  used, 
in  the  hardy  border.  The  smaller  kinds  are  excellent  for  rock  work 
and  the  front  of  borders. 

Culture,  When  planted  so  that  they  get  some  shade  during 
the  middle  of  the  day,  they  will  continue  to  bloom  for  a  longer  season. 

Propagation.  The  simple  method  of  propagating  the  Erigerons 
is  to  divide  the  clumps  in  Spring,  Even  early  Spring-sown  seed  results 
in  good  bloom  the  first  season. 


Eryngium — Sea  Holly,  Ivory  Thistle 

This  is  a  prickly  plant  in  every  feature — the  leaves  are  prickly, 
the  flower  heads  are  surrounded  by  spreading,  prickly  floral  bracts  and 
tlie  flower  head  itself  is  like  a  small  Teazle,  The  beauty  of  this  plant 
depends  upon  the  blue-gray  effect  which  it  presents.  They  grow  to  a 
lieight  of  3  feet  and  bloom  from  June  to  September, 

Eryngium  amethystinum  has  amethyst-colored  flowers  and  grows 
at  least  2  feet  tall,  E.  planum  has  numerous  small  flower  heads  and 
shining  stems,  E.  maritimum  has  whitish  or  pale  blue  flowers  and  grows 
1  foot  tall,  E.  Oliierianum  grows  3  feet  tall  and  has  large  flower  heads 
of  deep  blue  flowers. 

Uses.  The  Eryngium  is  most  effective  when  massed  on  the  lawn, 
and  its  uses  as  a  cut  flower  are  many.  It  is  very  decorative  for  basket 
work,  or  combined  in  vases  with  Gladioli,  The  branches  can  be  dried, 
so  that  the  flowers  are  used  in  Winter  bouquets.  The  plants  are  used 
in  wild  gardens  or  grouped  with  the  shrubbery. 

Culture,  Eryngiums  thrive  best  in  full  sun,  in  light,  sandy 
loam.  They  withstand  dry  seasons  well  and  when  once  established 
should  not  be  moved  often. 

Propagation.  They  are  raised  from  seeds,  but  some  have  found 
that  certain  of  the  sorts  are  rather  capricious  although  the  plants 
frequently  self-sow  their  seeds  and  spread  rapidly.  Sow  the  seed  as 
soon  as  ripe,  in  which  case  they  germinate  the  next  Spring.  The  plants 
are  divided  with  difficulty. 


90  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Eupatorium — White     Snakeroot,     Thoroughwort, 
Hemp  Agrimony,  Mist-Flower,  Joe-Pye  Weed 

How  often  we  are  tempted  to  praise  the  beauties  of  some  foreign 
flower  while  our  excellent  native  ones  pass  by  with  Httle  attention. 
There  are  many  sorts  of  Eupatoriums  and  most  of  them  can  be  found 
growing  wild  in  our  own  coimtry.  The  hardy  Ageratum  or  Mist 
Flower  (Eupatorium  or  Conoclinium  ccelestinum)  has  myriads  of  small, 
fluffy,  azure-blue  flowers  which  are  in  bloom  during  August  and 
September.  The  plant  reaches  a  height  of  2  feet.  The  White  Snake- 
root  {E.  urtic 88 folium  or  ageratoides)  has  pure  white  flowers  and  grows 
from  4  feet  to  5  feet  taU,  while  the  Boneset  or  Thoroughwort  {E. 
perfoliatum),  which  also  has  white  flowers,  only  grows  2  feet  or  3  feet 
tall.  The  leaves  of  this  sort  are  in  pairs,  united  at  the  base  about  the 
stem.  The  Joe-Pye  Weed  (E,  purpureum)  is  very  tall,  growing  from  4 
feet  to  10  feet  and  has  large,  purple,  showy  heads  of  flowers.  The 
leaves  are  in  whorls.  Most  of  them  bloom  in  late  Summer  or  early 
Autumn  with  an  average  height  of  3  feet  to  5  feet. 

Uses.  The  Joe-Pye  Weed  is  found  in  wet  meadows  or  along 
streams  and  will  naturahze  easily  along  woodland  streams,  or  moist 
places  in  parks.  The  Mist-Flower  and  the  White  Snakeroot  are  excel- 
lent for  cutting  purposes.  All  Eupatoriums  are  good  in  borders  with 
the  taller  ones  in  the  background,  or  to  naturalize  in  woodlands.  Some 
of  them  are  exceUent  to  use  with  shrubs. 

Culture.  They  are  of  easiest  culture,  growing  in  almost  any 
sofl,  although  a  rather  hght,  weU  drained  soil  and  a  sunny  position 
will  produce  large  plants  with  numerous  blooms.  The  Joe-Pye  Weed, 
however,  requires  a  moist  situation. 

These  plants  increase  in  profusion  of  flowers  and  size  of  trusses 
when  transplanted  from  the  wild. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  from  seeds  or  by  division 
of  the  clumps. 


Hardy  Ferns — Shield  Fern,  Hay-scented  or  Gos- 
samer  Fern,    Lady   and   Male   Ferns,   Royal 
Fern,  Maidenhair  Fern,  Cinnamon  Fern, 
Walking  Fern,  Climbing  Fern 

Almost  everybody  has  a  spot  in  the  garden  around  the  home 
which  is  so  shady  that  very  few  plants  will  grow  there  and  consequently 
these  spots  are  bare  eyesores.    Have  you  ever  taken  a  walk  through 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


91 


A  shaded  nock  of  ferns  and  Plantain  Lilies 


dense,  cool  green  woods  and  admired  the  wealth  of  ferns  growing  there 
so  luxuriantly,  and  wished  that  you  could  have  them  around  your  own 
home  to  lend  their  quiet  and  cool  atmosphere  ?  Most  of  these  ferns 
can  be  grown  easily  if  one  is  willing  to  give  a  Uttle  attention  to  their 
care. 

The  Maidenhair  Fern  {Adiantum  pedatum)  is  perhaps  one  of  the 
most  dehcate  of  these  hardy  ferns.  It  grows  from  12  inches  to  18  inches 
high  and  has  long,  curved  fronds  borne  on  long,  slender,  black  stems. 
W  hen  this  fern  is  once  well  established,  it  increases  very  rapidly. 

The  Royal  or  Flowering  Fern  {Osmunda  regalis)  is  very  stately, 
growing  from  2  feet  to  3  feet  high.  The  fronds  are  large  and  pale  green 
in  color. 

The  Ciimamon  Fern  {Osmunda  cinnamomea)  often  grows  5  feet 
high.  When  its  fronds  unfold  they  are  covered  with  a  rusty  wool,  but 
as  they  develop  they  become  perfectly  smooth. 

The  Hay-scented  or  Gossamer  Fern  (Dicksonia  punctilohula) 
grows  in  masses  18  inches  high.  It  spreads  very  rapidly.  The  fronds 
are  large  and  much  divided. 

The  Lady  Fern  {Asplenium  Filix-foemina)  and  the  Male  Fern 
{Lastrea  Filix-mas)  are  two  of  the  best  ones  for  general  gardening. 


92  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

The  Lady  Fern  grows  from  2  feel  to  3  feet  tall  and  has  Imely  cut 
foliage,  while  the  Male  Fern  is  an  evergreen  sort  growing  about  18 
inches  high. 

The  Walking  Fern  {Campiosorus  rhizophyllus)  is  a  low  creeping 
fern.  It  grows  in  little  tufts  with  evergreen  fronds  which  take 
root  when  they  touch  the  ground,  forming  other  small  plants. 

The  Climbing  or  Hartford  Fern  {Lygodium  palmatum)  is  another 
small,  dainty  fern.  Its  slender  stalk  will  grow  from  1  foot  to  4  feet 
high,  with  smaU,  palmately  cut  leaves. 

The  Christmas  Fern,  Asplenium  acrostichoides,  is  an  evergreen 
sort  and  is  more  showy  in  Winter  than  in  Summer.  It  is  especially  at 
home  in  rocky  places,  prefering  moisture  and  shade. 

The  Aspidiums,  especially  A.  marginale  and  A.  spinulosa,  are 
attractive  ferns  for  moist  places. 

A  very  common  fern,  the  Common  Polypody,  Polypodium  vulgare, 
although  not  individually  beautiful,  is  seen  to  advantage  upon  the 
ledges  of  gorges  where  it  forms  dense  mats  of  foliage. 

There  are  a  great  many  different  species  of  ferns  and  if  they  are 
carefully  studied,  almost  any  corner  in  any  garden  can  be  supplied 
with  a  touch  of  fern. 

Uses.  Since  most  of  these  ferns  require  a  shady  and  moist  situa- 
tion, they  can  be  massed  along  shady,  woodland  paths,  at  the  edges 
of  ponds  or  along  the  sides  of  streams.  Many  are  good  for  planting  on 
the  north  side  of  houses  and  as  edges  for  borders.  The  small  ones  are 
ahnost  invaluable  for  the  rock  garden  or  near  niiall  artificial  waterfalls. 
In  the  ordinary  garden  very  pretty  effects  are  gained  by  planting  the 
early  flowering  bulbous  plants  among  them,  because  the  fronds  of  the 
ferns  begin  to  unfurl  very  early  in  Spring.  Collections  of  hardy  ferns 
are  extremely  interesting.  Many  of  the  sorts  are  good  for  cutting 
during  the  Summer. 

Culture.  Very  few  of  these  ferns  will  grow  in  sunny  situations. 
Try  to  imitate  nature  when  planting  them  in  your  gardens.  Shady  or 
semi-shady  places  aie  best,  planted  underneath  trees  and  around  tall 
shrubbery,  where  the  plants  will  be  more  or  less  protected  from  the 
sun  and  hot,  dry  winds.  Good  drainage  is  absolutely  necessary  and  it 
is  advisable  to  raise  the  fern  bed  3  inches  or  4  inches  in  order  to  insure 
this.  Plenty  of  water  should  be  supphed  during  the  dry  Summer 
months.  In  preparing  the  soil,  dig  as  deeply  as  the  roots  of  the  trees 
will  allow.  If  the  soil  is  clayey  or  poor,  use  plenty  of  decayed  leaves, 
peat,  manure  and  other  loose  materials.  The  soil  should  be  very  fine, 
light  and  porous.    When  planting  the  small  ferns  in  the  rockery  almost 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  93 

pure  leafmold  can  be  used.  None  of  the  ferns  should  be  set  deeply  in 
the  soil,  most  of  them  requiring  about  an  inch  of  soil  covering.  Those 
which  grow  from  crowns  should  be  set  on  the  soil  so  that  the  crown 
is  not  covered.  Ample  room  should  be  left  between  the  plants  because 
they  spread  so  readily.  The  Royal  or  Flowering  Fern  can  be  grown 
in  2  or  3  inches  of  still  water  or  in  very  moist  places.  The  Cinnamon 
Fern  is  usually  found  in  mucky  soils.  The  Gossamer  Fern  is  one  of 
the  best  to  grow  along  walks  for  it  will  grow  in  either  sun  or  shade. 

Ferns  should  be  reset  in  the  Spring  or  during  the  Summer  through 
August.  This  will  give  plenty  of  time  for  a  new  set  of  fronds  to  come 
while  the  roots  are  getting  estabhshed.  If  they  are  planted  in  the 
Fall  they  require  a  good  mulching  of  leaves.  The  fronds  should  be 
cut  back  when  the  plants  are  moved. 

Propagation.  The  Ferns  are  propagated  by  dividing  the  root 
stalks,  which  are  the  underground  stems  from  which  the  upright  stems 
grow. 

Funkia — Day  Lily,  Plantain  Lily,  Corfu  Lily 

Two  sorts  of  flowers  have  been  called  Day  Lilies — Funkia  (or 
Hosta,  as  it  is  sometimes  called)  and  Hemerocallis.  Both  are  old 
favorites  in  the  garden.  The  flowers  of  the  latter  group  are  orange  and 
yellow  (see  HemerocaUis,  page  106).  Most  of  the  Funkias  are  grown 
for  their  exceUent  foliage  which  is  produced  in  clumps.  The  one 
most  commonly  grown  in  om*  gardens  is  the  Corfu  Lily  (F.  grandiJJora 
or  subcordata).  Its  leaves  are  a  glossy  light  green  color  with  spikes 
of  pure  white  Lily-like  flowers  It  grows  about  2  feet  high  and  spreads 
in  a  circle  about  3  feet  across  The  flowers  are  very  fragrant,  appearing 
during  August  and  September.  The  Common  Day  Lily  {F.  cwrulea) 
grows  \}/2  feet  high,  blooms  during  July,  and  has  mauve  or  blue  droop- 
ing flowers.  F.  Sieholdiana  is  one  of  the  strongest  growers  in  this  group. 
It  is  2}/2  feet  taU,  has  white  flowers  tinged  with  hlac  produced  in  July 
and  has  very  large,  grayish-green  leaves.  There  are  some  of  these 
Plantain  Lilies  with  variegated  foliage,  bright  green  margined  in  white, 
of  which  F.  undulata  variegaia  is  one  of  the  best  They  keep  on  growing, 
improving  every  year  as  the  clumps  increase  in  size. 

Uses.  Funkias  are  perhaps  most  useful  in  the  various  kinds  of 
borders.  The  dwarfer  variegated  kinds  are  used  for  edging  purposes. 
They  can  be  used  as  specimen  plants  in  the  lawn,  planted  near  lakes  or 
streams,  or  grouped  around  shrubbery  Both  the  fohage  and  flowers 
are  distinct,  beautiful  and  attractive  wherever  planted.  Some  of  them 
are  used  in  rock  gardens.      They  are  exceUent  plants  for  the  strip  of 


94  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

soil  near  the  Iiouse  in  the  shade  which  is  common  ahout  most  of  our 
homes. 

Culture.  Before  planting  the  Day  Lilies,  the  ground  should  be 
prepared  to  a  good  depth  and  enriched  with  manure.  They  grow  best 
in  moderately  rich  soil  where  a  good  supply  of  moisture  is  available. 
They  will  grow  either  in  sunhght  or  shade,  but  they  grow  best  in  partial 
shade,  even  in  the  northern  exposures,  where  very  few  other  plants 
will  grow. 

Propagation.  The  division  of  the  root  clumps  is  the  easiest 
method  of  propagating  the  Day  Lilies.  Some  produce  seeds  which 
grow  readily  if  planted  soon  after  the  seeds  ripen. 


Gaillardia — Blanket  Flower 

The  satisfactory  Blanket  Flowers  deserve  a  place  in  all  gardens. 
They  are  showy,  bloom  under  adverse  conditions  and  are  easy  of  cul- 
ture. The  great  improvement  in  colors  which  has  gone  on  in  recent 
years  is  marvelous.  There  are  both  annual  and  perennial  species,  both 
of  which  have  become  so  varied  in  their  form  and  colors  that  the  best 
test  of  a  perennia'  sort  is  to  wait  until  Spring.  If  it  lives  through  the 
Winter  and  blooms  the  next  year,  it  is  perennial  The  perennial  sorts 
are  catalogued  as  Gaillardia  arisiata  {grandiflora) .  The  flowers  are 
often  clear  rich  yellow  or  clear  wine  red,  but  usually  the  petals  are 
broadly  margined  with  yellow  and  the  remainder  of  the  flower  is  some 
shade  of  crimson.  The  centers  of  the  flowers  are  frequently  a  deep 
maroon. 

Uses.  Gaillardias  are  especially  good  for  the  perennial  border 
where  they  start  to  flower  in  June  and  continue  after  many  other  flow- 
ers are  killed  by  the  frost.  They  are  also  prized  as  cut  flowers  and  for 
tliis  purpose  should  be  cut  when  the  flowers  are  slightly  cup-shaped 
before  the  petals  have  reflexed.  Without  apparent  harm  the  flowers 
may  be  kept  out  of  water  in  carrying  them  from  one  place  to  another. 

Culture.  All  persons  who  have  grown  GaiUardias  know  that 
they  bloom  even  during  protracted  droughts.  They  prefer  the  full 
sun  and  a  sandy  soil.  Old  plants  have  a  tendency  to  become  "blmd," 
that  is,  they  grow  nicely  but  produce  no  flowers.  Such  clumps  should 
be  dug  and  divided. 

Propagation.  When  raised  from  seed  they  do  not  bloom  unless 
started  very  early.  They  are  easily  raised,  however,  the  seed  ger- 
minating in  five  to  eight  days. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


95 


Gentiana — Gentian 

TO  THE  FRINGED  GENTIAN 
Thou  blossom  bright  with  Autumn  dew, 
And  colored  with  the  Heaven's  own  blue, 
That  openest,  when  quiet  light 
Succeeds  the  keen  and  frosty  night. 

Thou  waitest  late,  and  com'st  alone, 
When  woods  are  bare  and  birds  are  flown, 
And  frosts  and  shortening  days  portend 
The  aged  year  is  near  his  end. 

Then  doth  thy  sweet  and  quiet  eye 
Look  through  its  fringes  to  the  sky. 
Blue — blue — as  if  the  sky  let  fall 
A  flower  from  its  cerulean  wall. 

— Wm.  Cullen  Bryant 

There  are  almost  as  many 
Gentians  in  poems  and  books 
about  flowers  as  there  are 
real  Gentians  in  the  woods. 
Two  sorts  are  to  be  found 
by  much  hunting  through 
United  States.  They  are 
the  Closed  Gentian  (Gen- 
tiana Andrewsii)  and  the 
Fringed  Gentian  (G.  crin- 
ita).  The  Closed  Gentian 
is  of  interest  because  it 
blooms  from  September  to 
November,  but  the  flowers 
never  open,  remaining  in 
large,  bud-like  fonn.  The 
flower  stems  are  \}/2  feet 
tall  and  the  purplish  blue 
flowers  are  borne  in  clus- 
ters in  the  axils  of  the  upper 
leaves.  The  plants  are 
found  growing  on  damp 
hillsides  and  in  meadows. 

The  Fringed  Gentian  is 
more  beautiful  and  less 
common.  It  is  the  most 
modest  flower  of  our  woods    ^^°"^**  °'"  ^°"*^  *^*"flowers"^  °^  °'"'  ''^°'*'*  '^''** 


96  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

and  hides  itself  away  in  the  open  places.  The  flowers  are  bluish 
and  have  a  delicate  fringe  at  the  margins  of  the  petals.  Unlike  the 
Closed  Gentian,  they  are  borne  singly  upon  the  apex  of  the  stems. 

The  Gentianella  (G.  acaulis)  is  the  blue,  stemless  Gentian  of  the 
Alps.  The  flowers  are  bell-shaped,  large  and  blue.  The  plants  grow  but 
6  inches  tall  and  bloom  in  Spring.  In  Europe  this  plant  is  commonly 
used  as  an  edging  plant. 

Culture.  The  Gentians  are  difficult  to  transplant  and  if  seed 
is  sown,  it  should  be  fresh,  otherwise  it  wiU  not  grow.  The  Closed 
Gentiana  may  be  grown  in  moist  meadows  but  they  should  have  no 
lime  in  the  soil.  The  Fringed  Gentiana  is  a  biennial  which  is  extremely 
difficult  to  grow.  If  fresh  seed  is  obtained,  sow  in  pots.  The  Gentian- 
ella is  the  easiest  sort  to  grow,  requiring  limestone  added  to  the  soil. 
All  sorts  prefer  partial  shade. 


Geranium — Crane's-bill,  Herb  Robert 

The  plants,  usuaUy  called  Geraniums,  are  really  Pelargoniums  and 
do  not  come  within  the  scope  of  this  book.  The  true  Geraniums  are 
hardy  perennials  growing  12  inches  to  18  inches  tall.  They  range  in 
color  from  lilac  to  rosy-purple.  The  most  commonly  cultivated  species, 
Geranium  sanguineum,  has  purple -crimson  flowers  producing  a  profu- 
sion of  flowers  through  the  Summer.  A  white  variety  is  frequently 
listed.  Two  wild  sorts  are  worthy  of  places  in  the  wild  garden  or  moist 
rockery,  namely:  G.  Robertianum,  the  Herb  Robert,  which  has  tiny 
magenta  flowers  and  deeply  cleft  leaves.  The  plants  are  encountered 
frequently  in  very  moist,  rocky  woods.  They  are  easily  distinguished 
by  their  peculiar  odor.  This  is  a  biennial  sort  but  will  self-sow  itself 
year  after  year.  G.  maculatum,  the  Spotted  Crane's-bill,  is  far  the 
commoner  wild  sort.  The  flowers  vary  from  hght  to  dark  magenta. 
Both  of  these  species  are  very  hairy. 

Uses.  The  smaUer  plants  are  excellent  for  pot  culture  or  to  use 
as  edgings  for  borders.  Many  are  grown  in  rockeries,  in  wliich  situa- 
tions Herb  Robert  and  the  spotted  Crane's-bill  are  especially  attrac- 
tive. Sometimes  the  flowers  are  cut  and  used  in  small  basket  or  vase 
decorations. 

Culture.  Geraniums  do  nicely  in  moist  places.  The  wild  sorts 
will  not  stand  the  hot  sun.  Any  good  garden  soil  will  do.  They  thrive 
best  transplanted  in  the  Spring. 

Propagation.  They  are  fpropagated  by  sowing  the  seed  during 
the  latter  part  of  Summer,  and  are  usuaUy  wintered  in  coldframes. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  97 

Geum — Avens 

Among  our  pernicious  weeds  is  one  whose  seeds  are  provided  with 
hooks  which  catch  in  our  clothing  when  on  a  Summer  walk  through  the 
woods.  This  is  a  Geum.  It  is  a  surprise,  therefore,  to  lind  several  ex- 
cellent perennial  flowers  as  its  relatives.  The  common  species,  Geum 
coccineum,  or  chiloense  as  it  is  more  properly  called,  grows  from  12  inches 
to  18  inches  high  with  hairy  leaves,  somewhat  resembling  those  of  a 
Strawberry.  The  flowers  are  both  double  and  single  and  are  borne  on 
branched  stems  in  great  profusion.  The  variety,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Bradshaw, 
is  the  best  one  to  grow.  It  has  very  large  flowers  from  Ij^  inches  to 
8  inches  across  with  large,  wavy  petals  of  a  bright  crimson  color.  The 
Geums  bloom  freely  from  May  through  October.  G.  monianum 
{Heldreichii)  produces  orange  flowers  through  the  Summer  and  grows 
h2  inches  tall. 

Uses.  The  Geum  is  a  most  exceUent  flower  to  use  for  bouquets. 
It  wilts  readily  and  when  the  flowers  are  cut  they  should  be  put  in  warm 
water.    They  are  also  good  for  borders  and  rockeries. 

Culture.  Geums  will  grow  in  fuU  sunUght  or  partial  shade  in 
any  garden  soil  and  thrive  very  well  among  rocks. 

Propagation.     They  are  produced  from  seeds  and  cuttings. 


Grasses,  Ornamental 

This  unique  group  of  plants  is  not  nearly  so  weU  known  nor  are 
the  many  excellent  sorts  as  often  seen  as  their  merits  deserve.  Only 
such  grasses  are  here  discussed  as  are  hardy,  easily  grown  and  will 
produce  striking  efl'ects  when  properly  used.  Bamboos  and  Grasses 
are  splendid  for  tropical  effects  and  particularly  to  be  admired  for  large 
beds,  for  the  edging  of  ponds  and  streams  or  for  combination  in  the 
perennial  border.  Plant  afl  sorts  in  a  rich,  moist  loam  in  a  place  pro- 
tected from  strong  winds. 

Propagation.  The  varieties  of  grasses  with  variegated  leaves 
are  usually  propagated  by  division  rather  than  seed  because,  in  most 
cases,  the  variegations  are  not  propagated  true.  Propagation  by  divi- 
sion is  easily  done  in  early  Spring.  Alerely  cut  the  clumps  into  pieces 
3  inches  or  4  inches  across.  Such  divisions  when  planted  a  foot  apart 
will,  at  the  end  of  the  season,  increase  the  apparent  size  of  the  clump. 

Many  of  the  grasses,  however,  are  propagated  from  seed  sown  in 
the  early  Spring.     Ornamental  grass  in  its  young  stages  of  growth 


98 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


appears  to  be  so  small  that  one  has  a  feeling  that  it  need  not  be  given  a 
great  deal  of  space.  Crowded  grasses  do  not  thrive,  so  that  they 
should  be  transplanted  when  small  and  given  plenty  of  space  to  de- 
velop. 

Arrhenatherum  bulbosum  variegatum 

A  dwarf,  decorative  grass  of  tufted  habit  growing  only  8  inches 
high.  The  green  and  white  leaves  retain  their  clear  color  throughout 
the  season.    It  is  used  where  a  white  edging  or  border  is  desired. 

Arundo  Donax — Giant  Reed 

Tliis  is  the  tallest  of  the  ornamental  grasses,  sometimes  growing 
in  rich,  deep  soil  to  a  height  of  20  feet.    The  long,  drooping  leaves  of 

a  bright  green  color 
are  produced  from 
the  base  to  the  top 
of  the  stem,  some- 
what resembling  a 
corn  plant,  though 
more  graceful.  Late 
in  Summer  the  plant 
produces  showy  red- 
dish brown  plumes 
over  a  foot  long, 
which  turn  a  silvery 
gray  at  maturity.  The 
Giant  Reed  is  useful 
for  the  centers  of 
large  beds,  in  the 
backgrounds  of  bor- 
ders or  as  specimens 
in  the  lawn.  It  re- 
fuses to  be  at  home 
in  stiff,  clayey  soil, 
preferring  a  deep, 
sandy  loam  and  a 
sheltered  position. 
Variegated  forms  are 
obtainable;  they  have 
leaves    striped    with 


Giant  Reed  or  Arundo,  one  of  the  tallest  grasses. 


white     This  latter  sort  seldom  grows  over  12  feet  tall  and  is  not 
entirely  hardy  without  protection  in  the  colder  climates. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  99 


Bamboos 


The  Ramboos  form  a  group  of  interesting  grasses,  interesting  be- 
case  of  their  association  with  many  uses  to  which  they  are  put  by  the 
Japanese.  Few  of  our  outdoor  Ramboos,  however,  grow  so  that  we 
can  actually  use  them  for  fishpoles.  They  are  usually  more  bushy. 
Three  principal  genera  of  grasses  are  known  as  Ramboos,  namely: 
Bambusa,  Arundinaria  and  Phyllostachys.  Generally  speaking  it  is 
wise  to  protect  all  of  the  sorts  listed  as  Ramboos. 

The  choicest  and  hardiest  sorts  include  the  following: 

Arundinaria  auricoma.  This  grass  is  an  excellent  purple-stemmed 
variety,  having  green  and  yellow  variegated  foliage.  It  is  rather 
dwarf,  growing  only  3  feet  tall. 

Arundinaria  Foriunei.  This  is  the  smallest  of  the  common  hardy 
Ramboos,  growing  only  18  inches  tall  and  having  evergreen  foliage, 
variegated  green  and  white.  Although  it  lacks  the  grace  of  the  taller 
varieties,  it  is  often  used  for  edging  or  in  rockeries. 

Arundinaria  japonica  (B.  Metake).  Arrow  Ramboo.  This  hand- 
some variety  from  Japan  forms  dense  masses  8  feet  to  10  feet  high.  The 
leaves  remain  on  the  plant  in  good  condition  well  into  Midwinter.  This 
sort  is  reliable  and  thrives  under  trying  conditions. 

Arundinaria  Simonii.  This  sort  is  distinct  and  of  vigorous 
growth,  the  branches  being  grouped  in  dense  clusters.  The  narrow, 
green  leaves  are  occasionally  striped  with  white.  It  grows  20  feet  tall 
in  China  although  15  feet  is  considered  to  be  a  good  growth  in  this 
country. 

Bambusa  palmaia.  This  is  an  effective,  broad-leaved  species  form- 
ing dense  clumps  4  feet  high.  The  bright  green  leaves  are  often  15 
inches  long  and  3  inches  wide. 

Phyllostachys  aurea.  Golden  Ramboo.  This  graceful  Chinese 
sort  has  close  jointed  canes  which  are  light  green  when  young,  but 
change  to  a  straw  yellow  when  mature.  The  plants  grow  15  feet  tall 
and  are  covered  with  small  branches  which  bear  soft  green  foliage. 


Elymus— Blue  Lime  Grass 

Elymus  glaums  is  an  excellent  grass  of  spreading  habit,  with  nar- 
row, bluish-green  leaves.  It  makes  an  earlier  start  in  Spring  than  most 
grasses  and  grows  3  feet  high. 


100  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Erianthus — Plume   Grass,    Hardy   Pampas   Grass 

In  habit  Erianthus  Ravennx  resembles  the  Pampas  Grass,  but  it  is 
not  as  ornamental  l)ecause  the  plumes  are  not  as  showy.  It  grows 
5  feet  to  10  feet  tall.  In  a  sunny  location,  in  well-drained  soil,  this 
grass  is  attractive  as  a  specimen  or  for  use  among  shrubs. 


Eulalia  or  Miscanthus — Japanese  Rush 

The  plain  green  and  variegated  sorts  of  Eulaha  are  of  great  value 
in  the  garden.  They  grow  5  feet  to  7  feet  tall.  Eulalia  japonica  has 
deep  green  leaves  2  feet  to  3  feet  long  and  over  an  inch  wide.  E. 
gracillima  has  long,  drooping  leaves,  narrower  than  the  former  sort 
and  with  a  stripe  of  white  through  the  center.  E.  japonica  zebrina, 
the  Zebra  grass,  has  leaves  which  are  variegated,  being  marked  cross- 
wise with  broad,  yellowish  white  bands. 


Festuca — Blue  Fescue 

This  httle  tufted  grass,  Festuca  glauca,  has  silvery-blue  foliage  and 
grows  only  10  inches  tall.  The  plants  are  evergreen,  but  it  is  advisable 
to  cut  the  old  leaves  from  the  plants  early  in  the  Spring  before  the 
new  crop  is  produced.  It  is  especially  recommended  for  edging  in  the 
perennial  border  and  in  the  rock  garden. 


Gynerium  or  Cortaderia — Pampas  Grass 

"What  is  there  growing  in  the  garden  or  wild  more  nobly  distinct 
and  beautiful  than  the  great  silvery  plumes  of  this  plant  waving  in  the 
autumnal  gusts — the  burial  plumes  as  it  were,  of  our  Summer  too  early 
dead,"  writes  Robinson  in  "Subtropical  Gardening."  LInfortunately, 
the  plants  are  rather  tender  and  require  mulching  in  Winter,  or  they 
may  be  taken  up  and  wintered  in  a  cool  cellar.  The  plumes  are  the 
handsomest,  most  graceful  of  all  grasses  and  the  needed  care  is  worth 
the  trouble. 


Pennisetum — Fountain  Grass 

Most  of  the  Fountain  Grasses  are  annuals,  but  Pennisetum  ja- 
ponicum  is  a  perennial,  grows  3  feet  to  4  feet  tall,  and  has  fox  tail-hke 
plumes  of  rich  mahogany  tipped  with  white. 


NOTEWOR'III^    PERENNIALS  101 

Phalaris — Ribbon  Grass,  Gardener's  Garter 

This  grass  is  a  favorite  of  old  gardens  where  it  spreads  widely. 
The  leaves  of  Phalaris  arundinacea  picla  are  attractively  striped  with 
pure  white.  It  is  useful  as  a  border  for  the  taller  perennial  grasses 
because  it  grows  2  feet  tall.  It  thrives  especially  well  in  wet  soil  and 
may  be  used  on  the  margins  of  ponds.  In  soil  too  rich  it  loses  its 
vareisration. 


Uniola — Spike  Grass 

The  Spike  Grass,  Uniola  latifolia,  has  arching  leaves  an  inch  wide, 
and  broad,  flat  spikelets  produced  in  loose  drooping  clusters.  It  grows 
3  feet  tall. 


Gypsophila — Baby's  Breath,   Chalk  Plant,   Gauze 
Flower,  Fairies'  Breath 

The  Gypsophila  is  one  of  the  daintiest  of  the  old-fashioned  flowers 
with  a  misty  grace  which  is  not  found  in  other  flowers.  The  flowers 
themselves  are  tiny,  white  or  blush-white  and  the  plants  are  covered 
with  myriads  of  these  blossoms  all  during  the  Summer.  The  plant 
grows  from  2  feet  to  3  feet  tall;  the  fohage  is  grass-hke,  the  stems  are 
branched  minutely  and  are  wiry,  and  the  general  appearance  is  filmy, 
gauzy,  or  misty  white.  Gypsophila  paniculata  has  single  flowers, 
while  G.  p.  flore-pleno  has  larger,  double,  rosette-like  flowers  and  is 
more  satisfactory.  G.  aciitifolia  is  frequently  cultivated,  difl'ering 
from  G.  paniculata  in  its  greener  and  narrower  leaves.  G.  cerastoides 
and  G.  repens  monslrosa  are  trailing  species  blooming  in  June  and 
July;  the  former  has  pinkish  tinged  flowers. 

Uses.  The  Baby's  Breath  is  an  excellent  cut  flower,  especially 
when  combined  in  bouquets  or  decorations  with  other  flowers  which 
do  not  have  much  foliage.  The  flowers,  especially  of  the  double  form, 
can  be  cut  and  dried  and  used  during  the  Winter  months.  The  plants 
themselves  are  useful  in  the  hardy  border,  or  as  pot  plants.  The 
trailing  form  is  useful  for  edging  and  for  rock  gardens. 

Culture.  Gypsophilas  endure  open,  dry  places  and  rather  poor 
soil.  The  name  Gypsophila  (Gypsum-loving)  seems  to  indicate  its 
preference  for  limestone  soils.  Some  gardeners  claim  tha  t  cutting  the 
plants  back  after  blooming  is  detrimental  to  them. 


102  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Propagation.  Tliey  may  bo  propagated  from  seeds  or  cuttings 
taken  either  in  the  Fall  or  Spring.  The  double  sorts  should  be  grafted 
on  the  roots  of  the  single  flowering  ones,  as  about  30  per  cent  of  the 
seedlings  come  double  from  seed.  The  plants  are  divided  most  fre- 
quently. 

Heather — Heath 

The  American  finds  it  almost  unholy  to  write  of  Heather  because 
his  remarks  may  be  read  by  a  Scotchman  who  might  wonder  by  what 
right  an  American  obtained  permission  to  discuss  these  bonny  plants. 
There  are  a  number  of  sorts  of  Heathers  which  may  be  grown  in  north- 
ern United  States,  but  many  of  the  European  sorts  are  not  hardy 
enough.  Lovers  of  Heather  might  easily  grow  it,  if  they  but  knew  the 
sorts  to  grow.    The  following  sorts  are  seen  thriving  in  our  country: 

Calluna  vulgaris,  the  true  Scotch  Heather,  has  tiny  purple  flowers 
and  grows  12  inches  to  18  inches  tall.  It  blooms  late  in  August  and 
remains  in  bloom  until  Fall.  There  is  also  a  white  variety.  C.  crispa 
is  an  excellent  sort  with  pinkish  lavender  flowers. 

Erica  carnea  has  pink  flowers  and  is  one  of  the  most  popular  sorts 
in  America.    The  plants  grow  6  inches  tall  and  bloom  in  April  or  May. 

Erica  stricta,  the  Corsican  Heath,  seldom  attains  a  height  of  2 
feet  and  has  stiff,  upright  branches.  The  flowers  are  rosy  purple 
appearing  in  August. 

Menziesia  polifolia,  the  Irish  Heath,  has  small,  oval,  dark  green 
leaves  and  long  spikes  of  large,  drooping,  white  or  bright  rose  bells. 
It  blooms  from  July  to  September.  The  plants  attain  a  height  of 
6  inches. 

Bruckenthalia  spiculifolia  is  found  listed  in  some  catalogs.  It 
grows  5  inches  to  8  inches  tall,  has  heath-like,  Hght  pmk  flowers  pro- 
duced in  early  June. 

Uses.  Besides  their  sentiment  and  interest,  the  Heaths  are  ex- 
tremely dainty  for  use  in  the  border  or  rock  garden.  They  are  espe- 
ciaUy  at  home  as  an  undergrowth  for  Rhododendron  beds.  They  may 
be  cut,  and  when  placed  in  vases,  wiU  last  for  weeks. 

Culture.  The  various  Heaths  prefer  a  soil  compounded  of  peat 
or  leafmold.  They  prefer  plenty  of  moisture  in  Summer  but  the  soil 
must  be  perfectly  drained.  Our  weather  conditions  are  not  ideal,  due 
to  our  hot,  dry  Summers,  but  Mr.  Wm.  Anderson  (Lancaster,  Mass.) 
writing  in  The  Gardener's  Chronicle  of  America,  says: 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


103 


"A  situation  should  be  selected  where  protection  is  afforded  from 
sweeping  winds  in  February  and  March.  We  have  some  Heather  planted 
on  a  hillside  in  the  full  sun,  and  exposed  to  sweeping  northwest  winds. 
The  tops  were  killed  back  some  last  Winter,  but  started  up  again  in  early 
Spring  and  was  in  full  bloom  September  6.  These  plants  have  been  grow- 
ing in  their  present  location  for  four  years.  For  the  first  two  years  the 
ground  was  kept  cultivated  between  the  plants,  but  the  growth  became 
so  thick  that  this  was  discontinued,  and  since  then,  thousands  of  seedlings 
are  beginning  to  appear  under  and  between  the  older  plants.  In  another 
spot  a  planting  was  put  in  two  years  later,  and  in  a  more  sheltered  location, 
and  has  come  through  the  last  two  severe  Winters  in  good  condition." 

Propagation.  The  propagation  of  the  Heathers  is  rather  diffi- 
cult for  the  amateur.    It  is  best  to  purchase  plants  from  the  dealer. 


Helenium — Sneezeweed,  Helen's  Flower 

The  Heleniums  are  tall  growing  autumnal  plants  which  are  closely 
related  to  the  Sunflower.  The  blooming  period  is  from  June  to  the  end 
of  September  and  during  this  time  the  plants  are  covered  with  flowers 


Helen's   Flower   or   Helenium.     The   rich   maroon   varieties   are   superb   for   late 
Summer  or  Fall  garden  effects. 


104  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

of  mahogany-crimson,  coppery-bronze,  lemon-yellow,  and  light  and 
deep  rich  yellows.  The  flowers  are  flat  and  are  borne  in  large  heads 
or  clusters.    They  grow  from  1  foot  to  6  feet  high. 

Helenium  autumnale,  Riverton  Gem,  grows  from  23/2  f^^l  to  3  feet 
high  and  has  flowers  of  an  old  gold  color,  which  changes  to  a  blood-red 
wallflower  color  when  mature.  Riverton  Beauty  grows  from  5  feet 
to  6  feet  taU.  Its  flowers  are  a  rich  lemon  yellow^  with  a  purplish-black 
cone  center.  Rubrum  bears  large,  loose  heads  of  terra  cotta  or  mahog- 
any-crimson flowers  which  do  not  change  as  the  blooms  mature. 
Superbum  has  deep,  golden  yeUow  flowers  while  Striatum  has  yeUow 
flowers  striped  with  crimson.  AU  the  above  varieties  bloom  from 
August  through  September. 

H.  Hoopesii,  a  clear,  rich  yellow  sort  with  slightly  drooping  rays, 
blooms  early  in  June  and  grows  only  2  feet  tafl. 

FoUowing  the  last  named  species  in  season  of  bloom  is  H.  pumilum, 
another  yellow  sort,  usually  growing  about  18  inches  tall  and  bear- 
ing a  profusion  of  flowers  through  the  Summer  months. 

Uses.  Heleniums  are  a  very  useful  as  well  as  popular  group  of 
plants  for  the  garden,  for  their  masses  of  golden-hued  colors  blend 
with  the  autumnal  colors  and  produce  efi'ects  which  are  hard  to 
achieve  in  any  other  group.  Because  of  their  tall  growth,  Heleniums 
are  used  to  form  the  body  and  main  background  of  large  borders  and 
are  very  attractive  when  planted  among  shrubbery.  The  flowers  are 
very  useful  for  cutting  and  the  blooms  remain  fresh  for  a  long  time 
when  placed  in  water.  The  bushes  are  always  covered  with  large 
quantities  of  bloom  which  remain  on  the  plant  in  good  condition  for 
some  time.    The  cut  flowers  are  useful  for  interior  decoration. 

Culture.  Heleniums  are  vigorous  growing  plants  which  thrive 
in  any  soil  and  even  under  adverse  conditions.  They  should  be  trans- 
planted frequently  because  they  spread  rapidly. 

Propagation.  These  plants  are  propagated  by  seeds  sown  in 
July,  by  division  of  the  roots  either  in  early  Spring  or  Fall,  and  by 
cuttings  taken  in  Spring. 


Helianthus — Perennial  Sunflower 

These  bold  perennials  are  so  diverse  in  their  habits  that  it  is 
hoped  that  the  reader  will  not  come  to  them  with  prejudice  because 
some  of  its  relatives  are  coarse  and  grasping  in  nature.    Some  of  the 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


10  • 


sorts  are  actually  dainty. 
All  the  sorts  are  tones  of 
golden  yellow  and  they 
are  usually  tall  growers. 
Of  the  many  sorts  we  shall 
mention  a  few  of  the  best. 

Helianthus  Maximilianii 
is  perhaps  the  tallest  one, 
growing  8  feet  and  some- 
times more  if  the  con- 
ditions are  favorable.  It  is 
the  last  one  to  bloom, 
flowering  as  it  does  in 
October.  Its  long  stalks 
are  full  of  small  golden 
yellow  flowers. 

H.  orgyalis  is  sometimes 
called  the  Graceful  Sun- 
flower because  of  its  nar- 
row fohage  which  droops. 
It  has  single,  lemon-yellow 
flowers  and  is  another 
very  tall  grower. 

H.  mollis,  or  the  Hairy 
Sunflower,    grows    4    feet 

tall  and  has  grayish,  downy,  green  leaves,  dark  stems  and  pale  yellow 
flowers  with  dark  centers.  H.  scaherrimus  (Woolly  Dod)  blooms  in  Sep- 
tember and  has  deep  yellow  flowers  with  maroon  centers.  H.  decape- 
talus  or  H.  muUiflorus  is  one  of  the  most  profuse  bloomers  and,  when 
planted  where  it  may  be  given  a  lot  of  room  to  spread,  is  one  of  the  good 
species,  but  its  powers  of  usurping  garden  space  eliminates  it  from 
the  more  refined  borders.  The  Autumn  Glory  {H.  angustifolius) 
has  created  some  comment  during  the  last  year.  The  writer  has 
not  seen  it,  but  has  heard  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  graceful  small- 
flowered  sorts,  that  it  makes  a  splendid  addition  to  the  small  number 
of  plants  which  bloom  after  frost . 

Uses.  These  are  splendid  to  plant  in  the  back  rows  of  the  bor- 
der, in  clumps  on  the  lawn  among  shrubbery,  or  to  naturahze  in  the 
wild  flower  gardens  or  along  woodland  paths.  They  combine  attrac- 
tively with  hardy  Asters.  The  flowers  are  cut  and  used  for  all  kinds 
Qf  decorative  purposes. 


Maximilian' 


Sunflower,    one    of    the    choicest 
late   flowers  of  Fall. 


106  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Culture.  Because  they  grow  so  tall,  they  should  be  planted  in 
places  where  the  soil  is  not  only  rich,  for  they  are  great  feeders,  but  also 
very  deep.  The  soil  should  be  manured  weU  every  season,  because  the 
roots  exhaust  the  soil  of  food  materials  very  readily.  They  prefer 
open,  sunny  places  to  partially  shady  ones,  although  they  like  a  moist 
soil.    The  plants  require  almost  yearly  transplantings. 

Propagation  Helianthus  is  readily  propagated  from  cuttings 
or  division  of  the  root  stocks. 


Heliopsis — Orange  Sunflower 

The  Hehopsis  is  not  grown  to  a  great  extent  because  so  many  more 
attractive  flowers  are  to  be  found  among  the  varieties  of  Hehanthus. 
This  Orange  Sunflower  is  very  similar,  growing  from  2  feet  to  3  feet  high, 
with  flowers  varying  in  colors  from  orange  to  a  deep  golden  yellow.  The 
flowers  are  either  single,  like  a  Daisy,  or  double,  like  a  Zinnia,  and 
measure  23/^  inches  or  3  inches  across.  Heliopsis  Pitcher iana  which 
grows  2  feet  to  3  feet  is  a  good  variety  to  grow.  It  has  single  flowers  of 
a  very  thick  texture  and  of  a  deep  golden  yellow  color.  It  begins 
blooming  in  June  and  lasts  through  September  and  early  October. 
Excelsa  is  an  intense  golden  sort  which  does  not  turn  brown  in  the 
center. 

Uses.  The  Orange  Sunflowers  have  long,  stiff"  stems  which  make 
them  valuable  for  cuttmg.  The  blooms  last  a  long  time,  both  on  the 
plant  or  in  water.  The  plants  themselves  are  suited  for  borders  or  dry 
spots. 

Culture.  They  are  of  easy  culture,  preferring  open,  sunny  situ- 
ations. 

Propagation.    They  are  propagated  by  seeds,  cuttings  and  divi- 
sion of  the  root  stocks. 


Hemerocallis — Day  Lily 

During  the  early  Summer  months  the  roadsides,  railroad  tracks  and 
banks  of  streams  are  brightened  immensely  when  the  Orange  Day 
LiUes  come  into  bloom.  They  grow  so  freely  and  in  so  many  out  of  the 
way  places  that  many  people  have  come  to  consider  them  as  native 
plants,  but  they  are  wild  in  Japan  and  China.    This  Orange  Day  Lily 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


107 


^^■--i^-j^^-:^' 

irttW^^TWl 

'-  '"""'if     '.  t 
••Vt.     -'^S-. 

Le/^  Lemon  Lily,  with  charming  fragrance  and  grace;  right,  Kansas  Gay  Feather 
or  Liatris,  an  unusual  flower  of  Summer. 


(Hemerocallis  fulva)  has  a  gaudy  orange  yellow  color.  The  plants 
grow  from  3  feet  to  5  feet  high,  have  narrow,  drooping,  grass-like 
leaves  which  are  very  graceful,  and  the  trumpet-shaped  flowers  are 
produced  on  spikes  of  from  six  to  twelve  blooms.  Each  flower  lasts 
only  a  very  short  time,  hut  new  ones  bloom  every  day.  The  blooming 
period  extends  from  early  June  through  July  for  all  the  varieties. 
The  Lemon  Day  Lily  (H.  flava)  has  clear  lemon  or  canary-yellow  col- 
ored flowers  and  is  the  better  one  of  the  two  to  grow  in  the  gardens. 
It  is  only  2  feet  or  3  feet  high  and  is  deh'ghtfully  fragrant.  H.  Mid- 
dendoj'ffii  is  a  dwarf  sort  with  rich,  golden  yellow  flowers.  H. 
Dumoriieri  begins  blooming  in  May  and  has  very  showy  flowers  of 
a  bronze  yeUow  on  the  outside  and  a  rich  yeUow  inside  of  the  petals. 
There  are  many  new  hybrids  of  the  Day  Lilies,  many  of  which  are 
superior  in  color  and  produce  more  blooms  to  the  spike.  H.  Florhami 
has  deep,  golden  yeUow  blooms  with  Indian-yeUow  markings.  The 
petals  are  beautifully  frilled.  H.  citrina  has  pale  lemon-yellow  flow- 
ers and  is  a  tall  grower.  H.  Kwanso  is  a  double  form  of  the  Orange 
Day  Lily.  H.  Thunbergii,  a  species  from  Japan,  may  be  described 
as  a  late-blooming  Lemon  Lily. 


108  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Uses.  Since  they  grow  and  bloom  so  freely,  their  uses  are  many. 
About  the  most  attractive  way  of  growing  them  is  to  let  them  naturalize 
themselves  along  woodland  paths,  along  streams  or  moist  banks. 
They  are  excellent  for  the  border  or  to  plant  among  shrubbery.  The 
flowers  are  used  for  cutting  purposes. 

Culture.  The  Day  Lihes  are  easy  to  grow,  thriving  equally  well 
in  full  sunlight  as  in  partial  shade.  In  fact  they  can  be  planted  any- 
where and  they  will  take  care  of  themselves.  It  is  best  to  divide  the 
clumps  every  two  years,  although  they  are  often  left  for  four  or  five 
years.     They  do  not  need  any  protection  during  the  Winter. 

Propagation.  They  are  easily  propagated  by  division  of  the 
root  stocks. 


Herbs 

The  home  gardener  can  derive  a  genuine  pleasure  in  growing 
herbs  when  they  supply  so  many  of  one's  wants.  This  is  especially 
true  of  a  housewife  who  has  her  own  kitchen  garden. 

Culinary  Herbs 

Borage  {Borago  officinalis).  The  large  leaves  have  a  fragrant  odor 
and  add  greatly  when  served  with  Lettuce  in  salads.  The  leaves  are 
sometimes  boiled  Hke  Spinach.  The  flowers  are  used  in  cool  drinks 
and  they  also  attract  the  bees. 

Burnet  {Sanguisorha  canadensis).  The  leaves  are  used  in  cool 
drinks  and  in  flavoring  soups  and  salads. 

Difl  {Anethum  graveolens).  The  seeds  have  a  pungent  odor.  Used 
for  flavoring  vinegar  to  make  "difl  pickles." 

Fennel,  Florence  {Fceniculum  duke).  The  leaf-stalks  at  the  base 
of  the  stem  are  very  large.  These  are  fine  in  salads,  the  sweet  flavor 
somewhat  resembling  that  of  Celery. 

Fennel,  Sweet  {Foeniculum  vulgare).  The  leaves  are  beautiful  for 
garnishes;  are  also  boiled  in  fish  sauces. 

Lavender  (Lavandula  vera).  The  leaves  and  flowers  have  a  de- 
lightful perfume  and  a  small  bag  of  the  dried  flowers  gives  the  flnen  a 
delicate  perfume.    Oils  are  also  made  from  the  true  lavender. 

Marjoram,  Sweet  [Origanum  Majorana)  The  leaves  and  shoots 
are  used  for  seasoning  and  are  also  dried  for  Winter  use. 

Mint  {Mentha  piperita).  The  leaves  and  stems  are  used  for  flavor- 
ing and  for  the  distiUation  of  essence  of  peppermint. 


NcrjEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  109 

Sage,  Goininon  {Salvia  ojjicinalis).  '\\w  Icavos  and  tups  arc  used 
eommonly  in  the  seasoning  of  the  stuffing  for  fowls  and  for  dressings. 

Tarragon,  True  {Artemisia  Dracunciilus) .  The  leaves,  either  fresh 
or  dried,  are  used  for  flavoring  soups,  pickles  and  vinegar.  The  finely 
chopped  fresh  leaves  add  greatly  to  salads. 

Thyme  {Thymus  vulgaris).  The  leaves  are  used  either  fresh  or 
dried  for  flavorings.    This  is  also  a  good  edging  plant  for  the  garden. 

Medicinal  Herbs 

Boneset  {Eupalorium  perfoliatum).  Tea  made  from  the  Boneset 
leaves  is  used  for  fever. 

Catnip  {Nepeta  Caiaria).  It  is  a  well  established  fact  that  cats 
delight  in  rolhng  among  the  leaves.  The  Catnip  is  said  to  be  a  good 
bee  pasture. 

Feverfew  {Chrysanthemum  Parthenium).  This  makes  a  good  blood 
tonic. 

Horehound  {Marruhium  vulgare).  The  leaves  are  used  as  a 
remedy  for  colds,  for  dyspepsia,  and  also  for  their  tonic  effect. 

Hyssop  {Hyssopus  ojficinalis).  The  leaves  and  tops  are  used  for 
Hyssop  tea.     This  plant  is  also  grown  as  a  pot  plant. 

Rosemary  {Rosmarinus  ojjicinalis).  Rosemary  tea  gives  rehef  to 
headaches. 

Tansy  {Tanacetum  vulgare).  Tansy  tea  is  used  against  worms  and 
is  generally  used  in  bitters. 

Wormwood  {Artemisia  vulgaris).  This  is  beneficial  to  poultry 
and  should  therefore  be  planted  in  every  poultry  yard. 

Culture.  All  the  herbs  require  a  rather  rich  garden  soil.  If 
they  are  being  grown  for  their  seeds,  the  branches  should  be  cut  when 
the  seed  is  ripe  before  it  has  a  chance  to  fall  away  and  scatter.  When 
dried  properly  the  seed  should  be  stored.  The  stems  and  leaves,  if  they 
are  to  be  dried,  should  be  cut  on  a  bright  day  when  the  leaves  have 
matured;  then  tied  in  small  bundles,  dried  quickly  in  the  shade,  and 
hung  in  paper  bags  in  the  attic  until  they  are  needed.  They  can  also 
be  kept  in  mason  jars  or  tight  fitting  boxes.  The  roots  should  be 
washed  thoroughly  before  drying.  All  the  herbs  except  Lavender, 
Rosemary,  Thyme,  Sage  and  Wormwood,  which  are  of  a  shrubby 
nature,  should  be  cut  back  to  a  few  inches  from  the  ground  and  covered 
with  straw  or  leaves  during  the  Winter.  These  few  plants  should  be 
cut  to  within  6  inches  of  the  ground.    All  herbs  need  Winter  protection. 

Propagation.  Most  herbs  are  easily  raised  from  seed.  Tarragon 
is  propagated  by  division  of  the  roots.     The  seed  should  be  sown 


110  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

where  the  plants  are  to  remain,  and  then  the  small  plants  can  be 
thinned  out  later.  It  is  best  to  plant  them  on  a  dull  day  and  water 
them  carefully. 


Hesperis — Sweet  Rocket,  Damask  Violet 

Sweet  Rocket  is  one  of  our  most  fragrant  flowers  which  grows  al- 
most wild,  as  it  has  escaped  from  the  gardens.  Hesperis  matronalis 
has  white,  flesh  or  lavender-colored  flowers  which  grow  in  large  clusters. 
The  plants  are  about  3  feet  high  and  are  bushy.  AU  of  the  flowers  are 
very  sweet  scented  and  this  is  especially  notic  ed  in  the  evening.  They 
bloom  from  June  through  September. 

Uses.  They  are  used  in  the  border  where  they  bloom  earher  than 
Phlox,  which  they  somewhat  resemble.  The  flowers  are  used  for 
cutting.  The  Magenta  colored  sorts  are  trying  to  combine  with  other 
flowers,  so  that  the  white  variety  is  the  one  to  grow. 

Culture.  They  thrive  in  either  sun  or  partial  shade  in  any  good 
garden  soil.  Closely  related  to  the  Cabbage,  they  are  sometimes 
affected  with  the  Cabbage  worm,  in  which  case,  they  should  be  sprayed 
with  arsenate  of  lead. 

Propagation.  They  are  grown  from  seeds  and  readily  self-sow. 
Heuchera — Fairy  Flowers,  Alum  Root,  Coral  Bells 

Heucheras  are  among  the  most  desirable  of  the  smaller  growing 
plants.  There  are  many  varieties  worth  growing.  Of  these,  Heuchera 
sanguinea  is  most  often  seen.  The  plants  are  compact,  bushy  and  grow 
in  tufts,  the  flower  stems  growing  Ij^  feet  or  2  feet  high.  The  ever- 
green leaves  look  like  those  of  a  Geranium.  From  a  mass  of  ornamental 
fohage  rise  graceful  spikes  covered  with  pendent  flowers  which  assume 
the  size  of  Lily  of  the  VaUey  bells,  of  a  bright  coral-crunson  color.  It 
blooms  about  the  middle  of  the  Summer.  Catalogs  list  white,  creamy, 
purple  and  rose-colored  varieties.  H.  americana,  resembling  the  Foam 
Flowers  and  the  Mitreworts,  is  a  native  of  our  woods. 

Uses.  Small  clumps  of  Heucheras  are  very  attractive  when 
planted  by  themselves  among  the  shrubbery  where  their  dainty  beUs 
wiU  not  be  outshone  by  other  gay  flowers.  The  fohage  is  tinted  with 
various  maroon  markings  during  the  Winter  and  this  makes  the  plants 
valuable  for  the  borders.    The  leaves  are  also  used  in  vases  as  accom- 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


111 


Left,  the  giant  flowers  of  the  Mallows  or  Hibicus,  the  largest  flowers  of  the  gar- 
den; right,  Japanese  Irises,  the  gorgeous  flowers  of  which  rival  the  other  flowers 

of  June. 

paniments  to  other  flowers,  and  the  sprays  of  hloom  make  excellent 
cut  flowers.  Heucheras  are  perhaps  most  at  home  when  planted 
in  the  rockery  where  they  become  robust  and  the  foliage  completely 
covers  the  rocks. 

Culture.  Moist,  rich  loam  is  the  best  soil  in  which  to  grow  them. 
Although  the  plants  grow  for  a  long  time  in  one  place,  the  larger  plants 
tend  to  grow  weak  very  soon.  These  should  be  removed  and  planted 
elsewhere  about  every  two  years.  They  refuse  to  thrive  in  a  stiff*, 
clayey  soil. 

Propagation.  The  plants  are  propagated  by  division  in  October, 
or  seeds,  which  should  be  sown  in  March  if  a  greenhouse  is  available. 
The  seedhngs  are  tiny  and  need  not  be  transplanted  until  they  attain 
some  size. 


Hibiscus — Marsh  Mallow,   Swamp  Rose  Mallow, 
Mallow  Marvels 

The  perennial  Mallows  bear  some  of  the  largest  flowers  of  any  of 
our  perennials  and  present  a  gorgeous  sight  when  in  bloom.  They 
grow  from  3  feet  to  8  feet  tall  and  the  branches  spread  out  over  a  great 


11^  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

area.  The  leaves  are  large  and  grayish  green  in  eolor.  The  llowers 
resemble  a  single  Hollyhoek  bloom,  only  they  are  nmch  larger,  some 
measuring  from  0  inches  to  10  inches  or  12  inches  across.  The  colors 
range  from  white  with  crimson  centers  to  deep  crimson,  but  most  of  the 
colors  are  soft,  causing  them  to  blend  with  other  flowering  plants.  The 
plants  begin  blooming  in  July,  but  are  at  their  best  during  August  and 
September.  Altogether  these  large  Mallows  present  quite  a  tropical 
aspect  to  any  planting  The  Swamp  Rose  Mallow  (Hibiscus  Mos- 
cheutos)  grows  4  feet  or  5  feet  high,  and  has  flowers  6  inches  across  of  a 
clear  rose  color  with  a  large  dark  eye  in  the  center.  This  is  a  very 
showy  plant.  The  Crimson-eye  Rose  Mallow  (//.  oculiroseus)  has 
large,  pure  white  flowers  with  a  deep  crimson  eye.  The  flowers  are 
extremely  large  and  appear  velvety.  The  Mallow  Marvels  comprise 
a  group  of  especially  large  flowering  sorts. 

Uses.  MaUows  are  hardy  and  adapt  themselves  readily  to  almost 
any  planting.  \A'hen  grouped  in  masses  the  large  plants  present  an 
extraordinary  picture.  They  may  be  planted  either  among  slirubs  or 
used  as  a  substitute  for  them.  The  plants  are  too  large  for  the  ordinary 
garden  border  because  they  require  much  room,  but  they  can  be  used 
in  large  beds  of  mixed  flowers. 

Culture.  Mallows  prefer  a  moist  soil  although  they  will  do 
equally  well  in  dry  soil,  sun  or  partial  shade  The  plants  die  down  to 
the  ground  during  Winter  and  are  about  the  last  plants  to  show  green 
shoots  in  the  Spring  They  grow  very  rapidly  and  do  not  require 
much  care.    A  hght  mulching  of  the  plants  is  good  for  Winter. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  from  seed  which  will  pro- 
duce blooms  the  first  year  if  the  seeds  are  sown  early  enough.  The 
roots  are  easily  divided  and  one  can  always  be  sure  that  the  plants  will 
come  true  to  form  if  this  method  is  used. 

Hollyhock— Althaea 

A  constant,  old-fashioned  garden  favorite  !  Hollyhocks  have  been 
universally  admired  for  hundreds  of  years  They  are  stately,  majes- 
tic, towering  plants  that  add  beauty  wherever  they  are  grown.  What 
other  plant  has  so  stately  a  habit  or  so  many  clear,  lovely  colors.:^  In 
single  plants  or  in  masses  against  wafls  or  buildings,  in  groups  at  the 
back  or  rear  of  the  perennial  border,  interspersed  with  low  shrubbery 
or  in  bold  masses  along  drives  or  walks,  they  are  ahke  efl'ective  Many 
fine  plants  wiU  give  their  fuUest  eff'ects  the  first  year,  so  they  are 
planted  to  advantage  in  the  newly  made  garden  when  the  trees  and 
shrubs  are  low  and  the  general  eff'ect  is  too  bare  of  color  and  foliage. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


lis 


There  are  sin^'les  and  doubles.  The  doubles  are  popular,  but  the  sin^des 
are  always  admired  because  of  their  simple  beauty  and  individuahty. 
A  group  of  well  grown  Hollyhocks  in  bloom  is  worth  going  to  see.  It 
is  really  the  color  that  we  look  for,  because  the  leaves  are  large,  coarse 
and  grow  mostly  in  clumps  at  the  base  of  the  plant.  The  long  spikes 
of  flowers  grow  from  .5  feet  to  8  feet  high  and  there  are  usually  from 
live  to  nine  blossoms  in  bloom  on  each  weU  grown  stalk.  The  average 
size  is  about  2  inches  or  3  inches  across,  but  o-inch  blooms  can  be  had 
if  good  attention  is  given.  The  colors  range  from  white  to  almost 
black  and  include  shades  of  pink,  flesh,  rose-pink,  salmon-rose,  golden 
yellow,  canary-yeUow,  dark  red,  purple-crimson,  dark  maroon,  white 
and  combinations  of  practically  all  these  colors  with  either  white  centers 
or  white  margins.  The  blooming  period  is  from  late  June  through 
September.  Fringed  petaled  sorts  are  catalogued  as  Allegheny  Holly- 
hocks and  are  exquisite.  There  are  also  annual  sorts  which  may  be 
depended  upon  to  bloom  the  same  year  they  are  sown. 

Uses.     Hollyhocks  at  the  present  time  have  a  great  landscape 
value  to  hide  unsightly  places,  to  work  in  the  border,  or  among  the 


Tall  Hollyhocks  to  greet   us   through   the  open   window. 


114 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


trees  and  shrubs.  They  are  also  used  for  cut  flowers,  but  wilt  very 
rapidly. 

Culture.  They  require  a  deeply  dug,  well-drained  soil  made  up 
of  equal  portions  of  good  loam  and  leafmold.  Well  decayed  manure  is 
good  also  to  mix  in  the  soil.  They  should  be  planted  in  a  warm  place 
and  given  plenty  of  water  during  dry  weather. 

Propagation.  As  the  seeds  ripen  in  August  they  should  be  sown 
in  light  soil  and  the  seedhngs  grown  in  coldframes  during  the  Winter. 
The  ground  should  be  well  prepared  and  the  plants  put  in  just  as  early 
as  the  ground  can  be  worked.    Hollyhocks  self-sow  very  rapidly. 

Diseases.  Hollyhocks,  where  grown  for  a  number  of  years  in 
the  same  place,  are  troubled  with  a  rust.  It  causes  little  trouble, 
however,  among  vigorous  young  plants.  A  mixture  of  lime  and  sul- 
phur blown  under  the  leaves  wiU  prevent  any  serious  outbreak. 
Bordeaux  mixture  is  also  effective.  Badly  infested  plants  should  be 
dug  and  burned.  Keep  down  the  growth  of  the  Mallow-like  weeds. 
Much  of  the  trouble  with  the  rust  is  eliminated  if  the  seed  is  sown 
as  advised  in  August  instead  of  Spring. 


Left,  Coral  Bells  or  Heuchera,  slender  spikes  of  bright  bells  for  the  border  or 
rockery;  right,  Blue  Flax  or  Linum,  airy,  dancing,  blue  flowers. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


115 


Hypericum — St. 


John's    Wort, 
Gold  Flower 


Aaron's    Beard, 


Literally  speaking,  these  flowers  either  seem  to  be  made  of  gold 
or  to  be  holding  the  golden  rays  of  sunlight  within  their  small  petaled 
cups.  Real,  genuine  pleas- 
ure is  derived  by  growing 
this  plant.  The  St.  John's 
Wort  {Hypericum  Moseri- 
anum)  has  large,  deep, 
ghstening,  golden  yellow 
blossoms,  greatly  resem- 
bling a  single  Rose,  filled 
with  numerous  yellow  sta- 
mens and  red  anthers. 
These  flowers  are  borne 
very  freely  at  the  ends  of 
long,  graceful,  reddish 
branches  which  are  cov- 
ered with  oval,  shining, 
smooth,  deep  green  leaves. 
This  plant  grows  from  iH 
feet  to  2  feet  tall  and  the 
slender,  spreading  branch- 
es droop  at  the  ends.  The 
flowers  are  in  bloom  from 
August  through  October. 
Aaron's  Beard  (//.  caly- 
cinum)  is  a  lower  growing 
plant  with  golden  yeUow 
flowers. 

Uses.  The  Hypericums  are  especially  good  to  use  as  borders  for 
shrubs  or  the  perennial  beds  of  flowers,  or  to  use  in  rock  gardens. 
The  plants  are  neat  growing  for  pot  culture.  The  flowers  are  em- 
ployed in  decorations. 

Culture.  The  plants  do  best  in  a  light,  warm,  sandy  soil.  The 
flowers  last  longer  if  they  are  shaded  slightly.  AU  of  the  Hypericums 
are  shrubby  in  nature,  the  woody  growth  and  some  of  the  leaves  re- 
maining on  during  the  Winter  months.  New  growth  starts  from  the 
base  of  the  plant. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  from  seeds,  cuttings  or 
division  of  the  roots. 


St.    John's    Wort,    the    large   yellow   flowers    of 

which,  filled  with  threads  of  gold,  are  sure  to 

be  enjoyed. 


116  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Iberis — Candytuft 

Candytuft,  a  low  growing  evergreen  shrub,  is  in  reality  one  of  the 
best  flowers  in  its  class.  It  grows  from  9  inches  to  12  inches  high  and 
spreads  out  making  low  mats  which  are  covered  with  flat,  dense  clus- 
ters of  the  purest  of  white  flowers.  This  perennial  Candytuft  {Iberis 
sempervirens)  comes  into  bloom  the  last  part  of  April  and  lasts  through 
June.  /.  gibraltarica  is  the  largest  of  the  Candytufts,  but  is  somewhat 
more  straggly  in  growth.  It  is  very  showy  because  the  clusters  of  white 
flowers  are  deeply  tinted  rose  lavender.  The  foKage  of  Candytuft  is 
evergreen,  which  makes  the  plant  attractive  throughout  the  year. 
This  is  the  larger  and  showier  of  the  two  species,  but  is  not  as  hardy . 

Uses.  Candytuft,  besides  being  one  of  the  best  white  flowers  for 
cutting,  is  also  invaluable  to  use  in  rock  gardens,  to  cover  bare  spots, 
to  use  in  beds.  Candytuft,  with  its  evergreen  foliage,  is  one  of  the 
best  plants  grown  for  edging  purposes.  Some  of  the  varieties  are  fra- 
grant, which  makes  them  more  useful  as  cut  flowers.  The  plants  are 
used  in  hanging  baskets,  porch  boxes  and  are  grown  as  pot  plants. 

Culture.  The  plants  form  a  dense  mat  and  when  once  estab- 
lished should  not  be  moved.  They  do  best  in  the  sunshine.  A 
moderately  rich  soil  and  plenty  of  water  are  the  most  important  re- 
quirements. If  the  true  /.  gibraltarica  is  grown,  it  will  need  careful 
protection  in  the  northern  states. 

Propagation.  Those  plants  grown  from  seed,  are  usually  strag- 
gly the  first  year.  They  are  easy  to  raise  from  seed,  which  germ- 
inate in  two  weeks,  but  the  best  plants  are  obtained  from  cuttings 
which  root  easily.  Cuttings  should  be  made  in  September  and  win- 
tered over  in  a  coldframe  where  they  can  be  kept  moist. 


Iris — Flag 

It  is  a  peculiarity  of  an  Iris  lover  that  he  does  not  like  to  have  an 
Iris  called  a  Flag,  although  most  persons  call  these  flowers  by  that 
name.  With  the  advent  of  new  varieties  the  Iris  is  gaining  in  popu- 
larity from  year  to  year.  A  national  society  honors  this  flower  and 
many  cities  have  Iris  clubs.  The  exquisite  colors  and  the  unrivaled 
form  have  attracted  many  flower  lovers.  A  collection  of  the  varieties 
is  a  veritable  rainbow  of  soft  colors. 

Bearded,  or  German  Iris.  The  most  cultivated  group  of  Irises 
are  the  bearded  sorts,  all  of  which  have  thick,  fleshy,  underground 


NOTEWORJ'HY  PERENNIALS  117 

stems  rendering  their  increase  most  easily  accomplished.  They  are 
remarkably  well  adapted  to  different  situations.  They  do  well  in  hot, 
dry,  sunny  places  as  well  as  the  cooler  and  damper  spots.  In  the  shade 
they  are  not  at  their  best.  They  require  frequent  transplanting,  as  the 
clumps  soon  become  too  thick. 

Japamese  Iris.  Gorgeously  colored  and  giant  ni  size  the  Japanese 
Iris  (/.  Ispviqala)  will  become  more  popular  in  the  future,  for  now  the 
Japanese  names  have  been  translated  and  the  flower  buyer  may  be  sure 
of  the  sort  he  buys  from  the  nurseryman.  Unlike  most  Bearded  Irises, 
the  Japanese  Iris  is  a  flat  bloom,  the  leaves  are  narrower  and  the 
rhizomes  are  smaller  and  more  compact.  They  dehght  in  water  when 
in  bloom  but  not  at  other  times  during  the  year, 

Siberian  Iris.  For  themarginsof  pools,  where  the  soil  is  a  trifle  too 
damp  for  other  flowers,  the  Siberian  Iris  (/.  sihirica)  thrives.  It  will 
not  succeed  with  its  roots  in  water,  however.  The  flowers  are  rich 
purple,  light  lavender,  blue  or  white,  and  hke  the  Japanese  Iris,  these 
flowers  are  without  the  prominent  beard  found  in  the  Bearded  Iris. 

Water  Iris,  There  are  two  common  sorts  of  Iris  which  may  be 
planted  directly  in  the  water;  namely,  the  European  Wild  Flag  (/. 
pseudacorus)  and  the  Blue  Flag  (/.  versicolor).  The  European  Wild 
Flag  has  large,  yellow  flowers,  the  petals  of  which  are  drooping.  The 
flowers  appear  among  the  luxuriant  leaves.  The  Blue  Flag  is  a  famihar 
flower  to  most  Americans,  for  what  boy  or  girl  has  not  gotten  wet  feet 
gathering  it  ?  Both  of  these  sorts  will  thrive  in  ordinary  garden  soil 
without  a  great  (juantity  of  water. 

Dwarf  Iris.  In  April,  during  favorable  early  Springs,  we  are 
dehghted  with  the  various  dwarf  Irises,  Growing  about  6  inches  tall 
they  supplement  the  Spring  bulbs,  EspeciaUy  charming  are  the  purple 
dwarf  sorts  when  planted  in  front  of  Emperor  Narcissus,  /,  pumila 
is  the  dwarf  bearded  species;  /.  verna  and  /,  cristata  are  beardless  sorts. 
The  latter  sort  is  very  tiny  and  has  very  slender  creeping  rhizomes. 
Being  sensitive  to  too  much  moisture,  it  grows  very  well  when  planted 
upon  little  mounds  of  soil  or  in  perfectly  drained  spots. 

Intermediate  Iris.  Hybridists  have  crossed  the  tall  Bearded 
Iris  with  the  dwarf  bearded  sorts  to  produce  a  group  intermediate  in 
season  and  height  between  the  two  parents.  ' 

Uses.  The  use  of  Iris  has  been  suggested  in  the  foregoing  para- 
graphs. It  is  an  excellent  border  subject  and  for  home  use  the  flowers 
are  attractively  arranged  in  our  rooms.  There  are  wet  soil  sorts,  tall 
varieties,  very  early  kinds  and  all  types  of  bloom  to  attract  each  of  us. 


118  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Culture.  The  simple,  let-them-alone,  culture  of  the  Iris  is  grati- 
fying to  the  home  owner  who  is  not  a  careful  gardener.  They  do  not 
like  water  upon  their  crowns  in  Winter,  except  where  noted.  The 
bearded  sorts  are  said  to  Uke  lime;  the  Japanese  Iris  does  not  prefer  a 
limestone  soil. 

Propagation.  Merely  cut  up  the  old  clumips  to  propagate  them. 
Each  piece  will  grow,  even  if  allowed  to  He  about  the  garden  for  a  week 
without  planting.  The  Bearded  sorts  increase  rapidly  and  should  be 
divided  every  three  years. 


Lavandula — Lavender 

Sweet  Lavender  is  one  of  the  well-beloved,  fragrant  plants  of  the 
old-fashioned  garden.  It  was  a  favorite  because  of  its  deUcate  odor. 
Lavender  {Lavandula  vera)  grows  from  1/^  feet  to  3  feet  high,  has 
downy,  silvery  gray  foliage  and  long  spikes  of  blue  lavender  flowers. 
It  blooms  from  July  through  September  and  produces  flowers  very 
freely.  There  are  two  dwarf er  varieties:  L.  nana  compada  with  large 
blue  flowers,  and  the  Munstead  Lavender  with  dark  blue  flowers,  both 
of  which  grow  12  inches  high  and  bloom  several  weeks  earlier  than  the 
type.  L.  spica,  the  common  Lavender,  is  dwarf  er  and  has  light  colored 
flowers. 

Uses.  Many  persons  make  small  sachet  bags  to  put  among  Hnens 
by  drying  the  leaves  and  flowers  in  the  Summertime.  Because  of  the 
gray  foUage,  Lavender  is  used  to  great  advantage  in  borders.  It  is 
also  grown  for  low  hedges,  or  on  dry  banks  and  in  the  rock  garden. 
The  flowers  are  good  for  cutting. 

Culture.  Lavender  requires  a  sunny  situation  and  hght  soil. 
Slight  protection  during  the  Winter  months  is  also  needed. 

Propagation.  Young  plants  are  easily  started  from  seeds  sown 
early  in  the  Spring.  They  should  not  be  sown  too  deeply,  and  after 
the  plants  appear,  they  should  be  kept  shaded  and  moist  until  real 
strong. 


Liatris — Blazing  Star,  Kansas  Gay  Feather, 
Button  Snake  Root,  Devil's  Bit 

Liatris  is  a  rather  odd  plant  and  merits  a  much  more  general  use 
because  it  is  very  desirable  and  attractive.    The  Kansas  Gay  Feather 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  119 

{Liatris  pycnoslachya)  is  the  one  most  commonly  grown  and  is  one  of 
the  choicest  ones  to  grow.  It  grows  in  long  spikes,  4  feet  to  5  feet  tall, 
which  are  densely  covered  with  slender,  grass-Uke  leaves  of  a  light 
green.  The  small  flowers  are  a  light  rosy-pm'ple,  a  color  which  does 
not  harmonize  readily  with  all  other  colors.  A  pecuhar  habit  of  the 
Liatris  is  that  the  succession  of  bloom  is  from  the  top  downward,  rather 
than  from  the  lowest  blooms  up  to  the  highest  as  in  all  other  spike 
flowers.  They  bloom  in  August  and  September.  The  Rutton  Snake 
Root  (L.  spicata)  and  L.  scariosa  are  two  other  fine  species,  both  pro- 
ducing deep  violet-purple  spikes  of  flowers  but  not  growing  so  taU  as 
the  Gay  Feather.  There  are  also  Hghter  shades  of  pin'ple  and  white 
varieties.  There  is  hardly  any  perennial  which  will  attract  as  much 
attention  as  does  the  Liatris  because  it  is  so  different  and  unusual. 

Uses.  Liatris  is  a  splendid  border  plant  to  use  at  the  back  of 
the  border,  but  the  color  is  one  which  goes  with  few  other  flowers  and 
should  be  subdued  with  white  flowers.  The  plants  have  great  attrac- 
tion for  butterflies  and  bees. 

Culture.  Liatrises  wiU  thrive  in  places  where  scarcely  anything 
else  wiU  grow.  They  wiU  grow  in  any  soil  or  shade,  but  prefer  a  moist 
soil  and  partial  shade. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  from  seed  sown  in  the 
Autumn,  or  by  division  of  the  tuberous  roots. 


Linum — Perennial  Flax,  Golden  Flax 

Flax  is  a  lovely,  airy  plant  with  flowers  of  yeUow,  blue  and  white. 
The  general  height  is  from  12  inches  to  18  inches.  The  foliage  and 
flowers  are  very  deHcate  and  graceful  and  present  the  appearance  of  a 
smafl,  feathery  bush.  Golden  Flax  {Linum  flavum)  has  transparent, 
deep,  golden  yeUow  flowers.  Linum  perenne  is  the  tallest  one  of  the 
Flax  plants  and  has  rather  small  flowers  of  a  pearly  blue.  L.  p.  album 
is  the  white  flowered  variety.  The  flowers  are  borne  in  great  numbers 
all  during  the  blooming  season  which  lasts  from  May  through  Sep- 
tember.    They  have  the  capricious  habit  of  blooming  every  other  day. 

Uses.  Flax,  especiaUy  the  yeUow  flowered  one,  is  very  attractive 
to  combine  in  plantings  of  Delphiniums,  for  both  are  in  bloom  at  the 
same  time.  Flax  is  a  dainty  flower  for  any  border  because  the  plants 
bloom  through  such  a  long  season.  Some  of  the  smaUer  plants  are 
grown  in  pots  and  in  the  rock  garden.  The  evergreen  leaves  and 
profusion  of  bloom  off'er  further  reasons  for  growing  the  Rlue  Flax. 


VH) 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNL\LS 


Culture.  Flax  is  very  easy  of  culture,  growing  readily  in  any 
good  garden  soil  in  full  sunlight. 

Propagation.  It  is  propagated  by  seeds  and  division  of  the 
plants. 

Lobelia 

Natives  of  our  woods,  in  bosky  places  we  find  two  exquisite  wild 
Lobelias,  the  Cardinal  Flower,  Lobelia  cardinalis,  and  the  Great 
Lobeha,  L.  syphilitica,  a  blue  sort.  Both  sorts  vary  greatly  in  height, 
some  growing  3  feet  or  4  feet  tall,  other  plants  being  hardly  a  foot  tall. 
Some  of  the  European  catalogs  list  sorts  of  the  Cardinal  Flower  which 
have  bronze  colored  leaves,  but  these  sorts  are  not  seen  in  America. 
They  bloom  from  July  to  September. 

Uses.  They  are  at  home  in  damp  spots  of  the  gardens,  and  along 
the  waterside.  The  Great  Lobelia  prefers  wetter  places  than  the 
Cardinal  Flower.  When  grown  in  dry  places,  they  suffer  from  drought; 
they  often  thrive  in  the  ordinary  garden  soil,  but  are  not  as  tall  as  in 


Left,    Lupines,    the    taU    spires    of    blue,    purple,    white    or    pink    flowers    making 
points  of  interest  in  the   border;   rif/ht.   Blue  Lobelia,  one  of  the  charming  blue 

natives. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  121 

tlie  wild  places  adapted  to  their  cultuie.  The  Great  Lobelia  thrives  in 
partial  shade  or  sun  but  the  Cardinal  Flower  is  usually  found  in  partial 
shade. 

Propagation.  They  grow  readily  from  seed  which  is  usually 
sown  in  the  Fall,  in  which  case  the  plants  are  wintered  in  a  coldframe. 

Lupinus — Lupine 

If  one  is  looking  for  a  plant  a  little  out  of  the  ordinary,  surely  the 
stately  Lupines  will  fill  this  need,  for  they  are  among  the  most  beautiful 
perennials  grown.  Lupinus  polyphyllus  is  the  most  popular  species. 
It  grows  from  '-2  feet  to  5  feet  in  height  and  has  beautiful,  long  spikes  of 
pea-shaped  or  butterfly-hke  flowers  covering  at  least  12  inches  on  stems 
8  feet  or  more  high.  The  flowers  are  a  clear,  azure-blue,  white  or  pink, 
with  soft  green  leaves  divided  into  small,  flnger-like  leaflets,  eight  to 
sixteen  in  number.  L.p.  Moerheimii  is  perhaps  the  handsomest  variety 
with  its  bright  pink,  rose  and  white  flowers.  The  flowering  spikes  are 
produced  very  freely,  and  a  border  or  mass  of  these  plants  when  once 
seen  in  bloom,  present  such  a  showy  yet  beautiful  picture  that  it  is  not 
easily  forgotten.  The  plants  tend  to  spread  out  while  growing.  Healthy 
plants  are  fairly  covered  witli  the  spikes  which  bloom  throughout  May 
and  June. 

Uses.  The  best  efl'ect  is  gained  by  planting  Lupines  in  masses 
in  the  border  or  on  the  banks  of  ponds  or  streams  where  the  tall  growing 
spikes  cast  a  stately  reflection  in  the  water.  Lupines  naturalize  well 
in  woodlands  and  partially  shaded  corners.  The  tall  spikes  are  hand- 
some for  cutting. 

Culture.  Lupines,  when  once  established,  are  very  easy  of 
culture,  and  are  seldom  attacked  by  insects.  They  grow  in  any  soil 
which  does  not  contain  lime.  The  roots  are  large  and  long  and  readily 
exhaust  the  soil  of  its  food  materials,  so  each  year  the  ground  should 
be  enriched  with  plenty  of  stable  manure.  It  is  best  to  grow  them  in 
moist  situations,  but  if  this  is  not  possible  they  should  be  watered  well 
during  dry  weather.  Lupines  dislike  to  be  moved  so  they  should  be 
planted  and  left  alone.  If  the  flowering  stalks  are  cut  down,  the 
plants  may  bloom  the  second  time  in  September. 

Propagation.  Lupines  are  easily  raised  from  seed  and  the 
plants  self-sow  if  the  soil  is  not  too  dry.  The  seeds  should  not  be 
covered  deeply  when  planted  and  can  be  sown  at  any  time.  The 
plants  can  be  divided  or  cuttings  can  be  made  by  using  the  rather 
hardened  wood,  or  side  shoots.    This  should  be  done  in  the  Spring. 


122  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Lychnis — Rose  Campion,  Mullein  Pink,  Flower  of 

Jove,   Double  Ragged   Robin,   Cuckoo   Flower, 

Corn  Cockle,  Jerusalem  Cross,  Maltese  Cross, 

Scarlet  Lightning,  German  Catchfly 

For  the  different  parts  of  one's  garden  there  are  many  good  varie- 
ties of  Lychnis.  Two  of  these  are  known  as  Agrostemma.  Double 
Ragged  Robin  and  Cuckoo  Flower  are  both  common  names  of  Agros- 
temma, Lynchis  Flos-cucuU.  This  plapt,  with  narrow,  grass-hke, 
grayish  foliage,  grows  from  12  inches  to  18  inches  high,  forming  a  tuft, 
and  producing  many  small,  delicate,  tassel-like  flowers  in  short  sprays 
of  rose  or  soft  pink,  which  are  very  attractive  to  the  bees  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. Ragged  Robin  is  in  bloom  continuously  from  May  through 
August.  The  Mullein  Pink,  Dusty  Miller  or  Rose  Campion  (L.  or  A. 
coronaria)  is  a  very  striking  plant.  The  stems  and  leaves  are  a  downy, 
silvery  gray  and  the  Pink-like  flowers  are  a  cerise  scarlet.  It  grows 
2  feet  or  23^  feet  taU  and  is  in  bloom  during  July  and  August. 

The  Maltese  Cross,  Jerusalem  Cross  or  Scarlet  Lightning  (L. 
chalcedonica)  is  a  tall,  loose  growing  plant  with  hairy  stems  and  leaves. 
The  foliage  is  similar  to  that  of  Sweet  Wilham  and  from  each  plant 
several  straight,  strong  flower  stems  rise  to  a  height  of  2  feet  or  3  feet 
and  have  immense  heads  of  vermilion-scarlet  flowers.  This  is  one  of 
the  most  brilliant  of  the  old-fashioned  flowers.  There  are  white 
flowered  forms  of  this  species.  The  German  Catchfly  (L.  Viscaria) 
grows  only  about  12  inches  high,  has  dense  growing,  evergreen  foliage 
and  fragrant,  deep  red  flowers.  There  is  a  sticky,  viscid  area  below 
the  flowers.  L.  Haageana  has  single,  orange-scarlet  flowers,  shaped  like 
those  of  Maltese  Cross,  and  grows  a  foot  tall.  Most  of  these  varieties 
have  double  forms  which  are  really  as  interesting  as  the  single  ones. 

Uses.  AU  of  these  varieties  are  used  for  cut  flowers,  in  pereimial 
borders  and  rock  gardens.  They  make  a  fine  bedding  plant  because 
the  period  of  bloom  is  extended  over  the  Summer  months. 

Culture.  Lychnis  is  very  easy  of  culture.  The  plants  like 
sandy,  weU  manured  loam  in  fuU  sunlight.  Those  varieties  suitable 
for  the  rockeries  grow  weU  in  dry  soils.  These  are  one  of  the  best  groups 
of  plants  for  withstanding  droughts. 

Propagation.  The  best  method  is  by  division  of  the  plants  in 
Spring,  although  aU  the  varieties  are  easily  grown  from  seed  which 
blooms  the  second  year  after  being  sown. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


123 


Lythrum — Purple  Loosestrife,  Black  Blood 


The  coniiiion  Piirple  Loose- 
strife {Lythrum  Salicaria)  grows 
from  4  feet  to  6  feet  tall  and 
blooms  during  the  months  of 
July  and  Augiist.  The  foliage 
is  willow-like  and  the  tall, 
erect,  graceful  spikes  produce 
brightly  colored,  reddish-pur- 
ple flowers.  The  Rose  Loose- 
strife (L.  roseum  superbum) 
has  rose-colored  flower,  while 
Perry's  variety  has  large  and 
glistening   cherry-red   flowers. 

Uses.  The  Loosestrife  takes 
care  of  itself  when  planted  at 
watersides,  margins  of  lakes  or 
streams.  There  is  hardly  any 
plant  which  can  equal  this 
when  it  is  naturalized  in  bogs, 
swampy  woodlands  or  in  wild 
gardens. 

Culture.  These  plants  are 
moisture  loving  and  should  be 
planted  in  partial  shade  in  low 


fftj?*,. 


Purple     Loosestrife     or     Lythrum,     unex- 
excelled  for  waterside  planting. 


lands  or  in  swamps. 

Propagation.       They    are 
propagated  by  stem  cuttings,  by  seeds  and  division  of  the  roots. 


Lysimachia — Loosestrife,  Creeping  Jenny  or 
Creeping  Charlie,  Moneywort,  Gooseneck 

Moneywort,  Creeping  Jenny  and  Creeping  Charlie  are  aU  common 
names  for  Lysimachia  Nummularia,  which  is  a  prostrate  or  creeping 
plant  and  grows  very  rapidly.  It  has  very  showy  yeUow  flowers  and 
blooms  from  May  to  September.  The  Loosestrife  (L.  clethroides)  is 
a  very  showy  and  graceful  Japanese  variety.  It  grows  3  feet  high  and 
produces  long,  recurved  or  drooping  spikes  of  pure  white  flowers  from 
July  to  September.    The  leaves  take  on  bright  autumnal  colors  in  the 


124  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Fall  when  the  flowers  are  gone.  L.  pundala  is  another  yellow  flowered 
sort  which  is  attractive.  The  flowers  are  produced  in  whorls  around  a 
leafy  stalk. 

Uses.  The  Loosestrife  is  useful  for  cutting  for  it  lasts  well  when 
cut,  to  grow  in  a  border,  wild  garden  or  along  lake  margins.  There  is 
hardly  any  plant  which  surpasses  the  Moneywort  for  covering  banks, 
rustic  urns,  vases,  old  stumps,  or  to  grow  in  hanging  baskets.  The 
plants  spread  very  rapidly  and  are  very  showy  when  they  are  in  bloom. 
This  is  a  good  carpeting  plant  for  shady  places  under  trees,  but  it  must 
be  admitted  that  it  spreads  rapidly  and  may  become  a  weed. 

Culture.  All  of  the  varieties  prefer  moist  situations  and  it  is 
because  of  this  that  they  grow  so  splendidly  on  stream  banks  or  in 
any  kind  of  waterside  plantings.    The  plants  do  not  require  any  care. 

Propagation.  Division  of  the  roots,  either  in  late  Autunm 
or  early  Spring,  is  the  best  method  of  multiplication. 


Mertensia — Virginia  Cowslip,  Smooth  Lungwort, 
Kentucky  Blue  Bells 

The  Virginian  Cowslip  is  one  of  the  lovehest  of  the  early  Spring 
blooming  plants.  In  rambhng  through  the  fields  and  woods  for  Violets, 
large  clumps  of  these  flowers  can  be  seen  growing  at  random.  Of  the 
many  species,  this  Virginian  Cowshp,  often  wrongly  called  Blue  Bells 
{Mertensia  virginica)  is  the  showiest  of  all  and  the  one  which  is  most 
easily  grown.  The  plants  grow  from  1  foot  to  2  feet  high,  with  soft, 
light  green  stems  and  foliage.  The  flowers  are  reddish  purple  when 
in  bud,  but  as  the  flowers  open,  they  change  to  a  lovely  gentian-blue. 
They  hang  in  drooping,  nodding,  graceful  clusters  and  the  individual 
flowers  are  funnel-shaped.  It  comes  into  bloom  early;  in  fact,  most  of 
the  growth  is  made  before  leaves  come  out  on  the  trees. 

Uses.  The  Virginian  Cowshp  serves  its  best  purpose  when  al- 
lowed to  naturalize  itself  in  shady  places.  It  combines  wefl  in  borders, 
or  in  shaded  corners  where  it  can  grow  as  if  in  its  own  wild  habitat. 

Culture.  Mertensias  need  moist  soil,  preferably  a  rich,  deep, 
loamy  soil.  Although  most  of  the  growth  is  made  in  sunlight,  for  it 
grows  so  early  in  the  Spring,  yet  the  plants  should  be  naturalized  in 
shady  places  and  should  not  be  disturbed  when  once  planted.  Mer- 
tensias are  nearly  always  found  growing  in  damp  woods. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  1 25 

Propagation.     New  plants  are  grrown  througli  division  of  the 
old  ones. 


Monarda — Bee  Balm,  Bergamot,  Horse  Mint, 
Oswego  Tea 

The  lovely  eardinal  or  scarlet  red  flowers  of  the  Bee  Balm  have 
for  years  been  one  of  the  standbys  in  the  old-fashioned  hardy  garden. 
The  "Cambridge  Scarlet"  variety  of  Monarda  didyma  is  the  best  one 
to  grow,  attaining  a  height  of  from  2  feet  to  3  feet  and  blooming  all 
Summer.  The  whole  plant  is  aromatic,  the  leaves  especially  having  a 
"minty"  odor.  The  stems  are  square-angled,  the  leaves  a  dark  green 
and  the  flowers  a  vivid  scarlet.  M.  fistulosa  has  a  lavender  flower 
which  is  more  compact,  somewhat  resembhng  that  of  the  common 
Clover  blossoms. 

Uses.  The  Bergamot  is  one  of  the  most  striking  plants  for  borders 
or  for  massing  against  a  background  of  shrubs.  The  flowers  are  used 
for  cutting  and  often  the  leaves  have  been  used  in  the  place  of  tea. 
Many  persons  grow  Bergamot  just  because  of  its  "minty"  fohage.  It 
also  is  quite  an  attraction  to  humming  birds  and  bees. 

Culture.  Bergamot  forms  a  thick  sod  or  mat  and  the  plants 
simply  refuse  to  be  crowded  out  by  other  plants  or  weeds.  The  clumps 
should  be  divided  in  the  Spring.  Although  they  will  grow  in  almost 
any  soil  or  any  situation,  the  plants  are  especially  fine  when  grown 
near  water  or  in  moist  places.  The  plants  are  easily  established  and 
are  of  simplest  culture. 

Propagation.  Bergamot  is  easily  divided  and  new  plants  start 
readily.  This  should  be  done  in  the  Spring.  Plants  can  also  be  raised 
from  seed. 


CEnothera — Evening  Primrose,  Sundrops 

The  Evening  Primroses  are  among  the  truly  beautiful  plants  which 
anyone  can  grow  in  his  garden.  The  plants  grow  from  1  foot  to  2  feet 
high,  spreading  out  and  j)roducing  many  satiny.  Poppy  four-pelalled 
flowers  of  white,  light  rose  and  varying  shades  of  yeUow. 


126 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


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NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  127 

Species.  CEnoiherafruticosa  and  its  varieties,  Fraseri  and  Youngii, 
have  rich,  golden  yellow  flowers  produced  freely  from  June  through 
September.  It  is  one  of  the  most  commonly  seen  Evening  Primroses, 
growing  2  feet  tall. 

CE.  speciosa  is  the  commoner  white  sort,  of  "lazy  looking  habit;" 
the  unopened  buds  are  drooping.  The  flowers,  as  they  mature,  gradu- 
aUy  turn  pink.    The  leaves  are  divided. 

CE.  missouriensis.  This  startling  species  produces  golden  flowers, 
5  inches  across,  upon  low,  trailing  plants.  The  flowers  are  foUowed  by 
large,  winged  seed  pods,  so  large  for  the  size  of  the  plant  that  they  seem 
unnatural.  The  foliage  becomes  reddish  in  the  Autumn.  This  sort  is 
sometimes  catalogued  as  CE.  macrocarpa. 

CE.  biennis  and  CE.  Lamarckiana  are  biennials  which  have  become 
weeds  in  most  gardens  and  for  this  reason  they  are  not  greatly  admired 
although  they  are  praised  in  European  catalogs  for  their  height  and 
wealth  of  yeUow  blooms. 

These  plants  open  their  flowers  toward  evening  and  close  them 
in  the  morning,  hence  their  common  name.  Most  of  them,  however, 
are  open  through  the  day  as  weU  as  during  the  evening. 

Uses.  Evening  Primroses  are  handsome  plants  for  the  rockery, 
for  the  border  and  for  bedding  designs.  The  flowers  are  fragrant  and 
therefore  are  useful  as  cut  flowers.  They  are  beautiful  when  massed 
in  front  of  shrubbery  or  planted  in  the  wild  garden,  for  the  clusters 
of  flowers  are  very  fragrant  and  the  bees  are  always  around  them. 

Culture.  CEnotheras  sometimes  become  "weeds"  because  the 
plants  spread  fast.  They  grow  weU  in  any  ordinary  situation,  in  weU- 
drained,  moderately  rich  soil.  They  need  moisture  and  the  soil  should 
be  prepared  as  deeply  as  it  is  possible  to  get  good  moisture.  The 
clumps  need  not  be  transplanted  often. 

Propagation.  Many  of  the  species  increase  by  producing  small 
tufted  plants  at  the  base  of  the  old  ones.  When  the  plants  are  divided 
it  should  be  done  in  early  Spring,  in  March  or  April.  They  are  easily 
grown  from  seeds. 


Papaver — Oriental  Poppy,  Iceland  Poppy 

There  are  Poppies  and  Poppies,  old-fashioned  ones  and  new 
varieties,  and  it  would  almost  seem  that  they  grow  more  dazzling  and 
more  gorgeous  each  year.    Perhaps  they  are  grown  in  a  greater  number 


['>H 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


of  gardens  and  we 
see  their  brilliant  col- 
ors everywhere  dur- 
ing the  early  Summer 
months,  or  perhaps, 
we  too  have  learned 
the  secret  of  growing 
these  deMcate  silken 
flowers  which  con- 
stantly command  at- 
tention. What  more 
startling  effect  could 
be  gained  than  by 
having  a  mass  of 
Giant  Oriental  Pop- 
pies {Papaver  orien- 
tale)  stand  out  boldly 
.against  a  dense  back- 
ground of  dark  ever- 
greens? The  colors 
of  the  named  varie- 
ties range  all  the 
way  from  silvery 
white,  through  blush 
and  rose  pink  to  salm- 
on and  scarlet-crim- 
son, each  flower  sway- 
ing and  nodding  on 
long,  graceful  stems.  The  Oriental  Poppy  blooms  during  May  and 
June,  grows  from  23^  feet  to  4  feet  high  and  the  whole  plant,  from  the 
heavy,  magnificent  fohage  to  the  large  flower  cups  and  seed  pods,  makes 
a  majestic  subject.  The  flowers  often  measure  9  and  10  inches  across. 
Some  of  them  have  a  black  blotch  in  the  center  of  the  petals  and  all 
have  a  great  number  of  purplish-black  stamens  in  the  heart  of  the  cup. 
P.  o.  bradeafiim  is  an  important  variety  of  a  deep  crimson-red  color. 
The  flowers  are  surrounded  by  large,  leafy  bracts.  Gypsophila  panicu- 
lata,  Phlox  siibulata  (white)  or  golden  Alyssmn  are  good  to  combine 
with  the  Oriental  Poppy  as  a  border  plant. 

The  Iceland  Poppies  (Papai^er  nudicaiile)  are  dwarfer  plants,  grow- 
ing about  VI  inches  high.  They  are  also  favorites  in  the  garden  for  the 
satiny  petals  of  white,  lemon,  yellow  and  orange  are  beautifully  crinkled 
and  have  a  dehcious  fragrance.    They  bloom  all  through  the  Summer 


Iceland    Poppy, 


dainty    edging    plants    with    lovely 
colors. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


129 


if  the  flowers  are  kept  well  picked,  and  either  single  or  double  flowered 
plants  can  be  grown. 

Uses.  Poppies  make  lovely  cut  flowers,  but  unless  care  is  exer- 
cised in  cutting  them,  the  petals  will  drop  and  they  will  last  no  time. 
The  flowers  should  be  cut  early  in  the  morning  when  the  buds  are  tight, 
allowing  them  to  open  up  in  the  water.  They  will  last  several  days. 
The  giant  Oriental  Poppies  may  be  cut  either  early  in  the  morning,  or 
at  evening,  just  as  the  buds  are  about  to  open.  They  wifl  last  longer 
it'  the  outer  green  calyx  is  removed. 

Poppies  are  used  to  a  great  extent  in  decorative  work  where 
daring  color  efTects  are  needed. 

Both  the  Oriental  and  Iceland  Poppies  are  splendid  subjects  for 
the  perennial  border,  but  should  never  be  planted  with  other  plants 
unless  the  colors  are  carefully  chosen.  Both  are  beautiful  if  planted 
in  large  masses  by  themselves.  A  good  combination  may  be  made  with 
Garden  Hehotrope  or  Valeriana. 

Culture.  Oriental  Poppies  will  grow  in  any  open,  sunshiny 
position  in  a  good,  deep  loamy  soil.  They  are  of  easiest  culture  and 
recjuire  very  httle  care.  During  the  dry  speUs  in  the  early  season,  they 
should  be  watered  occasionally,  but  after  they  have  finished  blooming 
and  the  leaves  begin  to  die  down,  they  should  be  let  alone  for  the  roots 


Missouri  Evening:  Primrose  or  CEnothera,  one  of  the  largest  flowers  of  the  gar- 
den.    There  are  other  charming  sorts  of  Evening  Primroses. 


130  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

seem  to  enjoy  a  thorough  baking  during  the  hottest  months.  When 
the  rains  begin  coming  in  September,  the  roots  will  show  signs  of 
growth;  then  the  plants  can  be  safely  transplanted.  Oriental  Poppies 
should  be  mulched  in  the  Wintertime.  This  mulch  does  not  have  to 
be  removed  in  the  Spring  for  the  leaves  soon  cover  it.  After  the  plants 
are  once  satisfactorily  situated  they  should  be  allowed  to  remain 
imdisturbed  for  a  number  of  years. 

The  Iceland  Poppies  are  very  easily  established  for  they  self-sow 
very  readily.  If  the  flowers  are  cut  every  day,  the  plants  will  produce 
flowers  all  during  the  Summer  months.  They  are  extremely  hardy  and 
will  grow  in  any  soil. 

Propagation.  The  Oriental  Poppies  should  be  divided  in  the 
Fall  after  the  plants  have  been  dormant  during  the  hot  months,  or  in 
early  Spring.  The  roots  may  be  cut  into  pieces  %  inches  long  and 
planted  in  sandy  soil,  in  which  case  new  plants  may  be  obtained. 
Plants  may  be  grown  from  seed,  which  requires  a  great  deal  of  care. 
The  seeds  should  be  gathered  as  soon  as  the  pods  are  ripe  and  begin 
to  open.  They  should  not  be  sown  too  thickly  and  should  be  wintered 
over  in  the  coldframe.  As  soon  as  new  shoots  start  in  the  Spring, 
pot  them  up,  and  after  they  have  attained  a  good  size,  plant  them 
out  in  the  open  soil  from  the  pots. 

The  Iceland  Poppies  self-sow  readily. 


Peony 

Peonies  have  captivated  the  world.  The  "old  red  Piney,"  that 
charming,  old-fashioned  flower,  is  hardly  as  popular  as  it  was  in  days 
now  past,  because  the  new,  lovely  and  more  delicately  tinted  varieties, 
which  have  been  recently  introduced,  are  crowding  their  old  relative 
into  the  background.  Peonies  in  great  masses  are  now  found  growing 
around  the  smaU  cottage  out  in  the  viUage  or  country,  along  roads  and 
woodland  paths,  in  gardens  throughout  the  large  cities  and  around  the 
mansions  of  the  wealthy  where  they  seem  to  have  truly  assumed  that 
aristocratic  yet  charming  air  so  in  keeping  with  the  occasion.  There 
is  no  other  hardy  flowering  plant  which  grows  in  the  Northern  States 
and  endures  the  Northern  Winters  as  does  the  Peony.  Massive  with- 
out being  coarse,  fragrant  without  being  pungent,  grand  without  being 
gaudy,  various  in  form  and  color,  beyond  the  possibility  of  being  suc- 
cessfully superseded,  they  stand  in  the  first  rank  of  hardy  flowers. 

The  genus  PsBonia  is  divided  into  two  sub-heads,  the  Shrubby  or 
Tree  Peonies  and  the  Herbaceous.    See  index  and  table  p.  168. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


131 


Peonies — everybody's  flower. 


Peonies  are  grown  both  for  their  flowers  and  beautiful  foliage. 
From  the  time  the  red  shoots  first  appear  early  in  Spring,  when  the 
flowers  in  an  almost  endless  number  of  colors  are  massed  on  the  bushes, 
and  when  the  glossy  green  foliage  takes  on  the  autumnal  tints  of  vivid 
carmine,  purple,  amethyst  and  orange,  Peonies  are  in  great  demand. 
The  average  height  is  from  2  feet  to  4  feet,  each  plant  spreading  out 
to  ahnost  the  same  distance.  The  flowers  are  borne  either  singly  or 
in  groups  of  two  or  three.  There  are  single  blooms  very  much  like 
a  wild  Rose,  except  in  size;  semi-double  flowers  and  double  ones  which 
are  a  round  mass  of  uneven  petals.  Some  of  the  flowers  are  so  large 
and  heavy  that  it  often  becomes  necessary  to  prop  them  up  so  that 
the  Spring  rains  will  not  dash  them  into  the  mud.  The  leaves  are 
smooth,  dark,  glossy  and  divided.  The  colors  of  the  flowers  range 
from  purest  white  with  a  mass  of  golden  stamens  in  the  center  through 
all  the  shades  of  pink  to  the  darkest  of  reds  and  purples.  There  are 
also  some  pleasing  yellow  varieties.  Many  of  the  newer  varieties  are 
delicately  rose-scented  which  makes  them  very  much  more  valuable 
because  the  ofl'ensive  odor  of  the  early  red  "Piney"  has  been  done 
away  with.  Some  of  the  varieties  do  not  last  very  long,  but  if  early 
and  late  varieties  are  planted,  a  succession  of  bloom  can  be  had  which 
will  last  for  six  or  seven  weeks.    The  greater  majority  of  them  are  in 


132 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNL\LS 


bloom  from  about  the  middle  of  May  on  through  June.  The  earlier 
blooming  varieties  combine  well  with  many  bulbs,  especially  Daffodils. 
Narcissi,  Scillas,  Gladioli  and  Lilies  are  very  charming  when  planted 
in  among  the  Peonies,  while  Michaelmas  Daisies,  Delphiniums,  Gail- 
lardias  and  Lobelias  make  a  very  suitable  background. 

The  Better  Peonies 

In  Bulletin  No.  7  of  the  American  Peony  Society,  A.  P.  Saunders 
gives  the  results  of  a  questionnaire  which  he  sent  to  members.  The 
voting  was  on  the  scale  of  10.  A  variety  receiving  a  rating  of  10  would 
be  of  the  highest  quahty,  7  fairly  good,  and  below  5  not  worthy  of 
cultivation.  The  following  varieties  received  a  grading  of  8.5  and 
above: 


WHITE 

9.9  Le  Gygne 

8.8  Alsace  Lorraine 

9.8  Kelway's  Glorious 

Enchantresse 

9.4  Mme.  Jules  Dessert 

Laura  Dessert 

9.3  Festiva  Maxima 

8.7  Albatre 

9.2  Elizabeth  Barrett 

Avalanche 

Browning 

James  Kelway 

9.1  Frances  Willard 

8.6  Prime V ere 

9.0  Baroness  Schroeder 

8.5  Marie  Lemoine 

8.9  Mme.  Emile  Lemoine 

Pleas'  Jubilee 

PINK,  ALL  SHADES 

9.8  Therese 

8.7  Claire  Dubois 

9.7  Solange 

Mignon 

9.4  Tourangelle 

8.6  Albert  Crousse 

9.3  Walter  Faxon 

Reine  Hortense 

9.2  La  Fee 

Eugenie  Verdier 

M.  Jules  Elie 

Judge  Berry 

9.1  Lady  A.  Duff 

La  Lorraine 

Martha  Bulloch 

Mme.  Auguste  Dessert 

9.0  La  France 

8.5  Germaine  Bigot 

Milton  Hill 

La  Perle 

Raoul  Dessert 

Mme.  Emile  Galle 

Rosa  Bonheur 

Maud  L.  Richardson 

8.9  Georgiana  Shaylor 

Octavie  Demay 

Marie  Crousse 

Opal 

8.8  Grandiflora 

Kelway's  Queen 

Loveliness 

DARK  RED 

9,2  Philippe  Ri voire 

8.7  Mary  Brand 

9.0  Longfellow 

8.6  Cherry  Hill 

8.8  Karl  Rosenfield 

Mikado 

M.  Martin  Gahuzac 

8.5  Adolphe  Rousseau 

Richard  Carvel 


iNOTEWoinii^  pi:rennials 


183 


Uses.  Peonies  can  Ix'  used  in  almost  any  position  in  any  jj^ardon. 
These  plants  are  equally  at  home  planted  as  sinfj:le  speeimens  on  the 
lawn,  in  tall  g:rass,  in  the  woods,  or  planted  in  beds  and  borders  with 
other  perennials  and  bulbous  plants,  or  when  massed  by  themselves. 
Peonies  can  be  planted  along  woodland  paths,  at  the  ends  and  edges 
of  shrubbery  groups,  at  the  bases  of  stone  walls,  or  along  drives  and 
walks.  They  are  at  home  in  almost  any  situation,  naturaUzing  as 
readily  in  woodland  copses  as  in  formal  gardens.  They  make  a  rather 
dense  growth  and  are  often  used  in  place  of  low  hedges. 

As  for  cut  flowers  they  are  absolutely  invaluable.  If  they  are  cut 
just  as  the  bud  is  about  to  open  and  are  placed  in  a  cool  room,  the 
blooms  will  last  many  days.  Since  the  newer  varieties  are  sweetly 
scented,  the  flowers  are  now  used  to  a  greater  extent  in  homes  in  vases, 
bowls  and  baskets.  The  stems  are  long,  stiff  and  are  splendid  to  use 
for  decorative  purposes  for  large  functions  where  large  flowers  of  rich 
coloring  are  needed. 

CuLTi'RE,  Peonies  abundantly  repay  good  care  and  nourishment 
and  do  not  require  a  great  deal  of  care  after  they  are  once  estabhshed. 


Types  of   Peonies. 
S. — Single,  showing  (g),  guard  petals;  (s),  stamens;  (c),  carpels  or  lobes  of  pistil. 
J. — Japanese   type;   stamens   wider   than   in    single. 

B. — Bomb   type.      The   stamens   become    narrow   petals,    called   petaloides. 
SD. — Semi-double.      Many  petaloides  are  quite  wide  and  are  mixed  among  the 

stamens. 
C. — Crown.      The  stamens  are  wider  and  petal-like.      The  carpels,  which  before 

have  remained   unchanged,  are  now  petal-like. 
R. — Rose.      In    this    type    there    is   an   entire    transformation    of   the    bloom. 


13  i  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Preparation  of  the  soil  is  one  of  the  biggest  factors  in  growing  healthy 
plants.  They  are  heavy  feeders  and  require  a  deeply  prepared  soil. 
The  best  soil  is  a  heavy  loam,  one  which  is  not  too  heavy  with  clay  nor 
too  hght  with  sand.  Stiff  yellow  clay,  a  sour  soil  or  an  abundance  of 
fresh  manure  in  the  soil  hinder  the  proper  growth  of  the  roots  and 
plant.  The  bed  should  be  prepared  very  deeply,  the  soil  being  mixed 
with  well-rotted  cow  manure.  Each  plant  should  be  given  a  space 
3  feet  in  diameter  for  its  development.  The  soil  should  be  retentive  of 
moisture,  yet  well  drained,  for  the  plants  rot  out  if  the  ground  is  so  low 
that  the  water  will  stand  in  pools  around  the  plant  during  the  Winter. 
The  manure  should  not  be  mixed  among  the  roots,  but  clean  soil  should 
be  next  to  the  roots  and  then  the  manure.  The  roots  should  be  set 
in  the  soil  so  that  the  top  eye  is  not  more  than  2  inches  or  3  inches 
from  the  surface. 

When  the  plants  have  finished  blooming  in  the  Summer,  work 
must  be  begun  to  insure  a  good  next  year's  crop.  Weeds  should  be 
kept  dowTi  all  during  the  Summer,  for  they  rob  the  soil  of  its  richness. 
The  first  Winter  the  roots  are  loose  in  the  soil  and  will  need  a  good 
coating  of  manure  as  a  mulch  appKed  after  the  ground  is  thoroughly 
frozen.  This  will  prevent  the  roots  from  being  heaved  out  of  the 
ground,  due  to  alternate  freezing  and  thawing.  The  maniu-e  should 
not  be  allowed  to  remain  about  the  plants  in  the  Summer  but  worked 
into  the  soil.    Diseases  are  spread  by  the  presence  of  manure. 

When  once  planted.  Peonies  should  be  left  alone  for  a  number  of 
years,  except  for  dividing  and  replanting,  which  should  be  done  every 
eight  or  ten  years. 

It  has  been  said  that  Peonies  fade  and  loose  their  colors  so  readily. 
The  deUcate  pink  varieties  fade  to  a  white.  This  can  be  remedied  by 
either  cutting  the  stems  when  the  bud  is  about  to  open,  or  by  erecting 
a  cheesecloth  screen  over  the  plants.  This  prevents  the  hot  sunhght 
from  bleaching  out  the  color. 

Although  Peonies  are  free  from  insects,  they  are  very  subject  to 
a  pernicious  bud  rot.  Many  Peonies  which  do  not  seem  able  to  mature 
their  buds  are  affected  with  this  disease.  It  can  be  prevented  by 
avoiding  manure  about  the  crowns  of  the  plants  and  by  spraying  weekly 
from  the  first  signs  of  Spring  imtil  sometime  in  May.  Bordeaux  Mix- 
ture is  the  proper  spray  to  use. 

Many  Peonies  have  two,  three  or  more  buds  to  a  single  stem.  If 
it  is  a  single  variety  they  should  be  left  as  they  are  because  the  spray 
effect  of  flowers  produced  is  very  attractive.  But  with  the  large 
double  sorts,  all  except  the  largest  center  bud  (terminal)  should  be 
removed.    This  disbudding  throws  all  the  strength  and  food  into  one 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  185 

flower,  which  is  larger,  finer  and  better  in  color.    The  buds  should  be 
removed  when  small. 

Propagation.  Peonies  are  usually  propagated  by  division  of 
the  clumps,  but  it  is  a  slow  process,  taking  from  three  to  five  years 
for  characteristic  blooms  to  appear.  The  tubers  or  roots  resemble 
those  of  Rhubarb.  The  best  time  to  divide  them  is  during  September 
or  October.  However,  they  may  be  divided  and  transplanted  any 
time  from  the  middle  of  August  until  the  ground  freezes  in  the  Fall. 
If  the  plants  are  well  estabhshed  they  will  improve  every  year.  Peonies 
may  be  propagated  by  seeds  which  are  sown  as  soon  as  they  are  ripe 
in  coldframes  where  they  should  be  kept  for  a  year  before  transplant- 
ing. The  seed  should  never  be  allowed  to  become  throughly  dry, 
for  when  once  thoroughly  dried  it  may  take  two  years  or  longer  for 
the  seeds  to  germinate.  The  first  blooms  are  never  typical  of  the 
plants;  it  takes  from  four  to  eight  years  to  produce  characteristic 
blooms.  One  must  remember  that  growing  Peonies  from  seed  is  in- 
teresting, not  practical. 


Pentstemon — Beard  Tongue 

The  Pentstemons  are  beautiful  border  plants  but  do  not  do  as  well 
in  the  Northern  States  as  in  the  Southern  ones,  where  the  climate  is 
milder  and  the  season  of  blooming  is  longer.  They  are  very  showy, 
growing  from  2  feet  to  4  feet  high,  are  rather  bushy  and  have  very  long, 
slender  spikes  which  bear  many  trumpet-shaped  flowers  with  hairy 
throats  from  whence  the  name  "Reard  Tongue"  comes.  The  colors 
range  from  white,  pale  rose,  azure  blue,  hlac,  coral,  scarlet,  violet  and 
purple.  Pentstemon  barbatus  Torreyi  has  slender,  deep  scarlet-red 
flowers.  The  fohage  is  fight  green  and  the  stems  are  wiry  and  thin, 
giving  an  airy  appearance  to  the  whole  plant.  P.  gloxinioides  Sensa- 
tion has  Gloxinia-fike  flowers  of  varying  colors — rose,  filac,  cherry, 
crimson  and  purple.  It  grows  about  2  feet  high  and  is  in  bloom  nearly 
all  Summer.  P.  Digitalis  has  white  flowers  with  a  purple  throat,  grows 
2  or  3  feet  high  and  blooms  during  June  and  July.  The  Pentstemons 
somewhat  resemble  the  Snapdragons,  both  in  flower  and  in  growth. 
Often  the  flowers  are  two-colored,  the  petals  being  of  one  color  and 
the  throat  of  another.    The  flowers  last  from  June  through  October. 

Uses.  Pentstemons  are  very  free  blooming  and  are  good  for 
cutting  purposes.  Their  graceful  growth  and  variety  of  colors  make 
them  easily  adaptable  to  almost  any  pereimial  border.  The  dwarfer 
ones  are  grown  in  rockeries. 


136  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Culture.  A  good,  deep  garden  soil  mixed  with  leafmold  or  sandy 
loam,  in  a  well  drained  situation  which  is  somewhat  shady,  is  the  best 
place  to  grow  Pentstemons.  They  hke  plenty  of  water  in  the  Sum- 
mertime. Many  are  hardy,  but  Sensation  requires  mulching  during 
the  Winter;  even  then,  in  the  colder  climates  it  freezes  out.  Good 
drainage  and  loose,  loamy  soil  are  absolutely  necessary  to  the  growth 
of  Pentstemons. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  either  by  division,  seed 
or  cuttings.  Cuttings  should  be  taken  in  the  Autumn,  which  is  also 
the  time  to  divide  the  roots.  Plants  may  bloom  the  first  year  if  the 
seeds  are  sown  early.  The  varieties  of  P.  gloxinioides  are  well  treated 
as  annuals,  sowing  the  seed  each  year. 


Phlox — Hardy  Phlox,  Flame  Flower,  Moss  Pink, 
Wild  Sweet  William 

Gardens,  both  old  and  new,  cannot  be  what  they  are  unless 
Phloxes  are  present  in  all  their  brilliant  colors  to  enliven  the  Summer 
months  just  before  the  Fall  flowers  come  into  bloom  and  after  the 
Spring  flowers  have  finished.  Phloxes  are  old-fashioned  favorites  and 
each  one  holds  a  bit  of  sentiment  within  its  dehcate  fragrance  that 
makes  us  reahze  that  they  are  wonderful.  With  the  new  varieties 
which  have  been  introduced  during  the  last  years,  the  new  effects  in 
colors,  the  large  size  and  gorgeousness  of  bloom,  they  have  become 
a  class  of  flowers  unsurpassed. 

The  Hardy  Phloxes,  which  are  the  ones  most  commonly  grown  in 
all  garden^,  are  divided  into  two  groups,  those  which  bloom  early  and 
are  known  as  Phlox  sujjruticosa,  and  those  which  bloom  later,  known 
as  P.  decus.^ata.  It  is  these  two  groups  which  have  been  improved 
so  much  within  the  last  dozen  years  that  they  have  now  become  in- 
valuable assets  to  any  garden.  The  flowers  are  borne  in  large  heads 
or  clusters  at  the  tips  of  long,  graceful,  leafy  stems  which  grow  from 
1 3/2  to  3  feet  tall.  AU  of  the  flowers  are  very  fragrant  and  the  colors 
of  most  of  the  named  sorts  are  clear. 

Varieties.  The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  Hardy  Phloxes 
which  are  wefl  worth  growing: 

Elizabeth  Cawpbell.  This  is  one  of  the  newer  and  very  popular 
colors.  It  has  large  trusses  of  brilHant  salmon-pink  blossoms  with  a 
dark  crimson  eye.  It  is  a  rather  low  and  stocky  growing  plant  but  is  a 
good,  continuous  bloomer. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


137 


Left,  Hardy  Phlox,  the  range  of  varieties  giving  an  excellent  choice  of  colors;  right, 
the   Moss  Pink  or   Phlox  subulata,   used   to  edge  a  walk. 


Mme.  Paul  Dutrie.  The  color  is  not  so  intense.  The  light  salmon 
gradually  changes  to  a  pink  which  is  more  deUcate  and  soft. 

Coquelicot.  Flowers  are  of  a  most  brilUant  orange-scarlet  with  a 
crimson-red  eye. 

Frail  Anton  Buchner.  These  flowers  are  very  large,  some  being 
larger  than  a  silver  dollar.  The  entire  growth  is  strong  and  vigorous. 
'Ili(>  flowers  are  of  purest  white  and  the  trusses  are  of  enormous  size. 

Le  Mahdi.  The  color  of  this  Phlox  is  a  very  deep  and  metaUic 
l)luish-violet.    The  trusses  are  large. 

Rosenbiirg.  The  flowers  are  immense  in  size,  of  a  deep  carmine 
violet  color,  with  a  blood-red  eye. 

G.  A.  Sfrohlein.  The  enonnous  clusters  of  this  plant  have  brilhant 
scarlet-orange  flowers  with  a  bright  carmine  eye.  This  color  does  not 
fade  or  bleach  out  in  bright  sunlight. 

Bridesmaid.  This  is  a  tafl  and  stately  white  flowered  Phlox  with 
a  large,  crimson  eye. 

Rynstrom  (Rijnstroom).  This  beautiful  colored  one  is  a  clear  pink- 
The  flowers  are  also  extremely  large,  some  being  the  size  of  a  silver 
doflar. 


138  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Miss  Lingard.  This  is  one  of  the  early  sorts.  The  flowers  are  white 
with  a  dainty  lavender  eye.    It  is  an  indispensable  variety. 

Dwarf  Phlox.  Almost  everyone  knows  the  Moss  Pink  or  Creeping 
Phlox  (Phlox  subulata).  It  does  not  look  hke  the  usual  Phlox  plant 
at  aU  because  it  is  dwarf,  spreading  in  nature,  with  small,  moss-like 
leaves.  As  it  grows  it  forms  dense  mats,  12  inches  or  more  in  diameter, 
which  flower  very  freely.  The  normal  color  is  pink  and  in  April  and 
early  May  the  clumps  are  simply  covered  with  myriads  of  flowers  about 
an  inch  in  diameter. 

Some  of  the  other  dwarf  varieties  which  are  good  to  grow  are 
P.  amcena  with  bright  pink  flowers;  P.  divaricata  canadensis,  (Wild 
Sweet  WiUiam),  with  very  fragrant  lavender  flowers  and  P.  d.  Laphami 
with  larger  flowers  of  a  more  intense  blue-lavender. 

Uses.  The  Moss  Pink  or  Phlox  subulata  grows  wild  and  blooms 
very  early  in  the  Spring.  Because  of  its  spreading  habit  it  is  usually 
found  growing  on  the  surfaces  of  rocks,  in  fields  or  over  dry  banks. 
In  the  rockery  it  is  often  planted  in  dry  corners  because  it  withstands 
drought  so  weU,  and  its  dense  growth  soon  makes  an  admirable  ground 
covering,  especially  when  hundreds  of  smaU  clusters  of  pink  and  white 
flowers  come  out  in  the  Spring.  It  is  also  used  as  an  edging  for  borders, 
in  cemeteries,  on  terraces,  between  stepping  stones  and  in  a  great 
many  other  places. 

The  Hardy  Phloxes  are  aU  fragrant  and  the  flowers  are  splendid  for 
cutting  purposes.  With  the  new  and  striking  colors,  almost  any  efl'ect 
can  be  carried  out  in  the  garden,  either  by  planting  them  in  soHd  beds 
where  the  colors  grade  into  each  other  from  dark  to  fight,  or  in  long 
beds  along  drives,  woodland  walks  and  paths,  or  in  front  of  shrubbery; 
or  combined  with  other  perennials  in  hardy  borders.  By  planting  care- 
fully, a  succession  of  bloom,  lasting  from  early  April  until  late  in 
September  or  October,  can  be  carried  out  by  just  using  the  different 
varieties  of  Phloxes.  The  best  eff'ects  are  gained  by  planting  masses 
of  each  color  together. 

Culture.  Phloxes  need  a  great  amount  of  moisture  and  should 
be  watered  regularly  in  dry  weather.  It  is  even  advised  to  mulch  the 
plants  during  the  dry  Summer  months  to  conserve  what  moisture  is 
present.  They  should  not  be  planted  in  the  grass  because  the  grass 
win  get  aU  the  moisture.  The  soil  should  be  prepared  deeply  to  a  depth 
of  about  2  feet;  it  should  be  weU  drained  and  moderately  rich.  Since 
Phloxes  are  gross  feeders,  good,  rich  soil  and  plenty  of  moisture  are 
absolutely  necessary  for  their  growth. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  139 

The  Dwarf  Phlox  plants  should  be  set  about  10  inches  or  12  inches 
apart  and  the  taller  Hardy  Phloxes  about  18  inches  apart.  Young 
plants  can  be  set  out  any  time  in  the  Spring.  If  the  shoots  are  pinched 
back  in  June  or  July  the  plants  wiU  become  branched  and  bushy,  and 
will  go  on  blooming  until  late  Autumn.  It  takes  from  two  to  three 
years  to  obtain  good-sized  and  well  formed  plants.  They  should  be 
divided  and  transplanted  every  three  or  four  years  or  the  blooms  will 
begin  to  deteriorate  and  the  soil  will  become  exhausted.  If  the  first 
display  of  flowers  is  cut  back  as  soon  as  the  blooms  are  faded,  a  second 
crop  of  bloom  will  come  on  before  Fall.  Phloxes  will  grow  either  in 
full  sun  or  in  partial  shade. 

During  damp  seasons  the  plants  are  sometimes  attacked  with 
mildew.  As  soon  as  the  first  signs  of  this  appear,  the  plants  can  be 
sprayed  with  Bordeaux  Mixture  or  if  powdered  sulphur  is  dusted  on 
the  leaves  in  the  morning  when  the  dew  is  on  them,  it  will  soon  check 
the  mildew.  The  latter  is  sometimes  caused  by  having  the  plants  too 
close  together  so  that  good  air  circulation  around  the  lower  stems  is 
prevented.  Red  spiders  also  attack  Phlox.  This  can  best  be  deter- 
mined when  it  is  noticed  that  the  lower  leaves  turn  a  rusty  brown. 
A  forceful  sprinkhng  with  a  hose  on  the  under  side  of  the  leaves  should 
be  apphed.  If,  however,  the  attack  is  very  severe,  it  is  best  to  cut  the 
stalks  back  near  the  ground  and  let  new  growth  start. 

The  plants  should  be  mulched  every  Winter  with  well  decayed 
manure. 

Propagation.  Phloxes  are  propagated  by  division  of  the  clumps, 
which  should  be  done  every  three  years,  for  they  tend  to  weaken  in 
the  center;  by  seeds,  which  may  give  many  new  and  interesting  colors 
and  types,  but  usually  resulting  in  magentas  and  muddy  colors;  by 
cuttings  made  from  the  stems.  Dividing  of  the  clumps  should  be 
done  in  the  Fall  or  in  earhest  Spring  before  much  growth  has  been 
made.  Commercial  nurseries  propagate  by  root  cuttings.  The  roots 
are  cut  into  2  inch  pieces  early  in  Spring  or  Fall  and  sown  in  flats, 
much  as  seeds  are  treated. 


Physostegia — False      Dragon      Head,      American 

Heather,  Obedient  Plant,  Mexican  Heath, 

Accommodation  Flower 


The  False  Dragon  Head  {Physostegia  virginiana)  is  another  one  of 
the  few  August  blooming  plants.  It  is  extremely  beautiful,  with  spikes 
of  rosy  pink,  lilac  or  white  flowers  which  are  tube-shaped  and  similar 


140 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNL\LS 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  141 

to  a  tiny  Siiap(lra;j:()n  hlossu!!!.  The  buds  and  llowers  grow  on  the 
stem  as  if  growing  on  the  four  sides  of  a  square.  The  plant  grows 
about  3  feet  or  4  feet  high,  spreads  out  and  has  very  pretty  foUage 
surrounding  the  graceful  spikes.  It  begins  blooming  in  July  and  lasts 
through  September.  The  names,  Obedient  Plant  and  Accommodation 
Flower,  are  derived  from  the  fact  that  the  flowers  remain  at  any 
angle  at  which  they  are  turned. 

Uses.  This  plant  is  splendid  in  a  border,  but  because  the  flowers 
are  pale,  brighter  contrasting  colors  should  be  worked  in  around  it 
to  bring  the  pink  or  lilac  color  out.  The  flowers  last  for  a  long  time 
and  are  very  useful  for  cut  flowers.  They  are  good  in  the  border  be- 
cause they  bloom  at  a  time  when  many  other  flowers  have  flnished. 
They  are  especially  efl*ective  near  waterfalls,  along  stream  banks,  or 
when  placed  in  front  of  dark  green  shrubs. 

Culture.  Physostegias  require  a  rather  moist  soil  in  either  sunny 
or  shady  places.  The  plants  spread  very  rapidly  and  will  tend  to 
become  a  nuisance  unless  they  are  divided  every  year  or  two.  They 
are  of  easy  culture  and  should  be  planted  about  2  feet  apart  in  good  soil. 

Propagation.  These  plants  are  easily  started  from  seed,  or  new 
plants  can  be  had  when  the  plants  are  divided  every  year. 


Platycodon — Chinese  Balloon  Flower 

The  Chinese  Balloon  Flower  is  very  closely  aUied  to  the  Cam- 
panulas. It  grows  erect  and  the  stems  are  rigid.  The  flowers  have 
five  petals  and  open  out  rather  flat,  but  when  in  bud  they  look  like 
inflated  balloons,  from  whence  the  common  name  is  derived.  The 
flowers  are  both  single  and  double.  They  are  blue  and  white  in  color 
and  sometimes  will  have  blue  or  white  veins  which  makes  them  appear 
as  if  they  had  been  streaked.  They  begin  blooming  about  the  middle 
of  June  and  last  throughout  the  Summer.  The  Chinese  Bell  Flower  or 
Balloon  Flower  is  known  as  Platycodon  qrandiflorum  and  grows  3 
feet  taU.  P.  g.  Mariesii  has  deep  blue,  bell-shaped  flowers,  some  of 
them  nearly  3  inches  across,  but  it  is  more  dwarf,  only  growing  about 
12  inches  high. 

Uses.  Platycodons  are  splendid  border  plants,  for  the  plants  are 
neat  and  well  formed  and  they  are  in  bloom  all  through  the  Summer 
months.  They  are  also  planted  among  shrubbery.  The  flowers  can 
be  cut  and  last  well. 


142 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Culture.  These  plants  nearly  always  flower  the  same  season 
they  are  planted.  They  grow  readily,  sending  up  long  spikes,  so  that 
nicely '  shaped  bushes  are  formed  in  a  couple  of  seasons.  Medium 
sandy  loam  is  the  best  soil.  Do  not  cut  the  old  stems  back  in  the  Fall 
when  the  blossoms  are  gone,  but  let  them  die  away  naturaUy  so  as  not 
to  injure  the  crown,  which  should  be  set  about  one  inch  below  the 
surface.    Slight  Winter  protection  is  beneficial. 

Propagation.  The  most  successful  method  is  by  seeds.  The 
root  stalk  is  fleshy  and  thick  and  a  great  deal  of  care  must  be  exercised 
in  dividing  it. 


Plumbago — Leadwort 

Plumbago  Larpentse  or  Ceratostigma  plumhaginoides  is  one  of  the 
very  late  blooming  small  border  plants.  Because  it  is  such  a  persistent 
blooming  plant  from  July  until  freezing  weather  in  the  Winter,  it  is 
very  much  valued  at  the  time  of  the  year  when  most  other  border 
plants  have  finished  blooming.  Plumbago  Larpenix  grows  about 
10  inches  or  12  inches  high  and  forms  a  round,  ball-hke  mass  of  dark 


Left,  Plumbago,  one  of  the  best  late  blue  edging  plants;  right,  Knotweed  or  Poly- 
gonum, with  its  Buckwheat-like  flowers. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  143 

green,  glossy  foliage  wliich  in  the  Fall  months  is  covered  with  trusses 
of  lovely  cobalt-blue  flowers  on  wiry  stems,  which  last  for  a  long  time. 

Uses.  Plumbago  Larpentx  is  especially  useful  as  a  rock  garden 
plant  because  the  foliage  turns  a  reddish-bronze  in  Autumn  and  lasts 
so  long  that,  with  the  deep  glossy  green  foliage  of  early  Spring,  it  makes 
a  good  all-the-year-round  plant.  This  perennial  is  also  used  in  borders 
and  as  an  edging  plant. 

Culture.  In  the  colder  regions  the  plants  need  protection  during 
the  Winter.  The  plants  may  be  taken  from  the  ground  and  placed  in 
coldframes.  They  grow  well  in  sunny  places  and  in  any  good  garden 
soil. 

Propagation.  The  plants  are  usually  propagated  by  dividing 
the  roots  in  Spring. 


Polemonium — Jacob's  Ladder,  Charity,  Greek 
Valerian 

Jacob's  Ladder  is  a  very  ornamental  and  graceful  flowering  plant  of 
early  Spring  and  Summer.  The  flowers  are  blue,  or  white,  flat  or  beU- 
shaped,  and  are  borne  in  spikes;  the  foHage  is  very  finely  cut,  much 
resembUng  fern  fronds.  Polemonium  cseruleum  or  the  Greek  Valeri£ui 
is  rather  bushy  with  long  spikes,  about  2  feet  high,  of  sky-blue  flowers 
with  golden  anthers.  P.  reptans,  a  native  of  our  woods,  is  dwarf, 
growing  6  inches  or  8  inches  high,  with  hght  blue  flowers  which  come 
into  bloom  early  in  April,  P.  humile  {Richardsonii)  is  very  dainty  and 
dwarf  with  small  spikes  of  blue  flowers  growing  from  small  rosettes  of 
green,  fern-hke  leaves.  All  the  varieties  bloom  from  April  or  May 
on  through  August  or  September. 

Uses.  Most  of  these  plants  are  splendid  for  rockeries  or  in  low 
beds  and  borders.  The  taller  ones  are  used  in  front  of  shrubs.  Some 
are  grown  as  alpine  subjects  or  in  wild  gardens.  The  flowers  can  be 
cut,  and  with  their  deUcate  foliage,  make  up  beautifully  for  vase  or 
basket  work. 

Culture.  Polemoniums  are  very  easy  to  grow,  thriving  best  in 
dry  places  where  the  sofl  is  rich  and  well-drained  and  with  some  shade. 

Propagation.  These  plants  are  propagated  easily  from  seed 
sown  in  the  FaU  or  by  dividing  the  plants. 


144  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Polygonum — Knot-Grass,  Knot-Weed 

The  Knot  Weed  is  a  very  ornamental  plant  for  any  garden  be- 
cause the  foliage  is  so  beautifully  tinted  in  Autumn.  Some  of  the  va- 
rieties grow  very  high  and  greatly  resemble  Bamboo  in  growth.  Poly- 
gonum sachalinense  is  one  of  this  type,  attaining  a  height  of  from  9  feet 
to  12  feet,  with  leaves  12  inches  long  and  sprays  of  greenish-white 
flowers.  The  stems  are  curving  or  arched.  P.  affine  (Brunonis)  is  the 
dwarf  variety,  growing  6  inches  to  18  inches  high,  with  bright,  rosy 
red  flowers  and  beautifully  colored  foKage.  P.  amplexicaule  grows 
about  2  feet  or  3  feet  taU  and  has  deep  red  flowers  which  come  into 
bloom  very  late  in  September  and  last  until  October.  P.  Sieholdii 
compadum  grows  about  15  inches  high,  has  small,  glossy  green  leaves, 
and  the  entire  plant  is  covered  with  small  white  flowers.  Most  of  the 
varieties  are  in  bloom  from  July  through  August. 

Uses.  The  Giant  Knot-Weed  is  used  mostly  in  wild  gardens  or 
imder  trees,  where  an  immense  shrubby  perennial  is  needed.  The 
other  varieties  are  grown  in  front  of  shrubs  or  herbaceous  borders. 
Some  of  the  dwarf  ones  are  used  in  rockeries.  Any  of  these  are  very 
efl"ective  when  planted  in  masses,  especially  along  banks  of  streams  or 
in  moist  places.    Some  of  the  flowers  are  valued  for  cutting. 

Culture.  Some  Polygonums  require  a  great  deal  of  space,  for 
the  plants  are  very  large.  They  are  moisture  loving  and  should  be 
planted  in  places  where  the  ground  is  naturally  very  moist  and  does 
not  dry  out  easily.  They  will  grow  almost  anywhere,  in  any  soil,  and 
need  very  Mttle  attention. 

Propagation.  They  are  propagated  by  seeds  and  division  of  the 
plant. 


Potentilla — Cinquefoil,  Five  Finger 

PotentiUas  greatly  resemble  the  Strawberry  Plant,  especially  in 
the  manner  of  growth  and  the  fohage.  This  is  a  trailing  plant  which 
covers  the  ground  rapidly  and  sends  out  roots  as  it  goes  along.  The 
flowers  are  very  showy,  the  colors  are  very  bright,  with  reds,  oranges 
and  yellows  predomiQatuig.  These  flowers  are  both  double  and  single 
and  are  borne  in  great  profusion  from  June  to  August.  The  single 
blooms  look  like  a  Buttercup  or  a  Strawberry  flower.  Potentilla 
airosanguinea,  a  parent  of  many  lovely  varieties,  has  single,  rich 
primson  blossoms.    Miss  Wihnott  is  cerise,   and  WiUiam    RoUison 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  145 

is  a  combination  of  orange  and  mahogany-red  with  double  flowers. 
There  are  a  great  many  varieties,  nearly  all  of  which  have  double 
flowers. 

Uses.  Potentillas  are  most  effective  when  planted  in  rock  gar- 
dens where  they  can  grow  over  large  boulders  of  rock  and  need  not  be 
thinned  out  every  year.  They  are  excellent  to  plant  in  bare  places 
where  a  good  ground  covering  is  needed,  for  these  plants  grow  rapidly 
and  soon  form  a  thick  covering. 

Culture.  These  plants  should  be  set  about  18  inches  apart  in 
any  garden  soil,  but  they  do  best  when  planted  in  rich,  hght,  loamy 
soil.  They  like  exposed  places  and  will  need  to  be  thinned  out  every 
year.  There  should  be  a  Hght  mulch  of  leaves  placed  over  the  plants 
during  Winter. 

Propagation.  Potentillas  send  out  roots  along  the  trailing 
stems;  hence,  new  plants  are  very  easily  obtained  by  thinning  out. 
They  are  also  easily  grown  from  seed. 

Primula — Primrose,  English  Cowslip,  Oxlip, 
Polyantha 

Hardy  Primroses  are  showy  plants  which  fit  in  well  with  any 
Spring  bedding  design.  The  small  flowers  are  graceful  and  dainty 
and  the  varieties  can  be  so  chosen  that  they  will  be  in  bloom  from 
April  for  a  month.  Primroses  grow  from  6  inches  to  18  inches  high  and 
have  light  green,  hairy  leaves.  The  colors  of  the  hardy  sorts  range 
from  white  to  the  darkest  crimson  and  yellow.  Some  of  the  varieties 
are  double,  and  others  present  this  appearance  because  the  petals  are 
wavy  and  crinkled.  The  hardy  sorts  of  Primroses  are  derived  from 
Primula  elatior,  P.  veris  and  P.  vulgaris.  These  are  much  of  one  type, 
the  flowers  being  borne  in  umbels  or  clusters  of  six  to  twelve  flowers. 
There  is,  however,  another  interesting  species,  P.  japonica,  the  Japanese 
Primrose,  which  bears  the  flowers  so  that  one  umbel,  or  cluster,  is  above 
another.  The  colors  vary  from  rich  dark  crimson  through  the  inter- 
mediate tints  to  white.  The  petals  are  of  a  heavy  texture  and  waved. 
Almost  aU  the  varieties  of  Primroses  are  worth  growing  and  wherever 
planted,  they  increase  in  beauty  and  interest  with  each  succeeding  year. 

Uses.  Primulas  make  dehghtful  subjects  for  the  rock  garden, 
edging  a  shady  border  or  against  old  walls.  They  naturalize  readily 
along  streams,  woods  or  shrubbery  and  are  also  suited  for  growing  in 
porch  boxes  or  in  pots.  The  flowers  are  fragrant  and  make  splendid 
cut  flowers. 


14C 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Culture.  Primulas  are  not  difficult  to  grow,  yet  they  reward 
one  for  any  amount  of  trouble.  One  of  the  first  requisites  is  to  keep  the 
soil  moist.  The  plants  will  die  if  they  are  allowed  to  pass  through  the  dry 
Summer  months  without  plenty  of  water.  Primroses  should  be  planted 
in  rich,  well  drained  soil  in  a  shaded  nook  in  order  to  protect  the  plants 
from  the  hot  sunshine  during  the  Summer.  Shght  protection  during 
Winter  is  needed,  such  as  a  fight  mulching  of  leaves  and  straw.  In  the 
Fall,  if  the  crowns  of  any  of  the  plants  are  above  the  surface  of  the  soil, 
these  plants  should  be  taken  up  and  reset.  Primroses  resent  a  great  deal 
of  cultivation;  good,  rich  soil,  partiaUy  shaded  quarters  and  plenty  of 
moisture  are  aU  they  need. 

Propagation.  Primroses  are  usually  propagated  by  seeds  sown 
in  March  in  a  coldframe  or  in  May  to  July  outdoors  in  shaded  places. 
The  seed  should  just  be  scratched  into  the  surface  soil  and  firmed. 
The  plants  can  also  be  divided  early  in  Spring  or  in  the  FaU. 


more 


Pyrethrum — Pink  Daisy 

The  form  of  the  Daisy  is  admired  by  all,  so  that  it  is  strange  that 
persons  do  not  grow  the  lovely  Daisies  known  as  Pyrethrums. 


— ■             ^       ^r        .      _         .- T- — 

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3J5^^%i&     ^      *        '  ^^^I^S^Sa^.  \ 

^  '  ■  ■•  o 

Primroses.     A  mass  to  tempt  us  to  imitate  it. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  147 

The  flowers  are  bright  in  color  and  are  borne  on  long  stems.  They  might 
be  called  Spring  Chrysanthemmns ,  for  they  bloom  principally  in  June. 
Many  of  the  sorts  are  attractively  doubled.  The  colors  range  from 
deep  rich  crimson  to  hght  pink  and  white.  They  grow  2  feet  to  3  feet 
taU.  The  proper  botanical  name  is  Chrysanthemum  coccineum;  the 
catalogs  also  call  them  Pyrethrum  roseum  and  hybridum.  ^ 

Uses.  The  Enghsh  are  so  fond  of  these  flowers  that  they  have 
many  named  varieties.     Of  Pyrethrums   The  Ladies'  Field  writes: 

"Amongst  the  most  satisfactory  of  all  the  flowers  in  the  garden  we 
may  count  double  Pyrethrums.  They  are  of  almost  infinite  variety,  which 
time  seems  powerless  to  wither,  and  which  custom  never  stales.  Nearly 
every  year  sees  some  new  development,  the  result  of  skillful  raising  and 
discriminating  selection.  They  have  many  good  (juahties  to  recommend 
them.  These  flowers  are  extremely  showy,  and  are  as  hardy  as  they  are 
efi'ective.  They  are  of  the  easiest  possible  culture,  and  as  cut  flowers  they 
are  invaluable,  lasting  for  fuU  two  weeks  in  fuU  and  fresh  beauty. 
This,  when  one  is  away  from  one's  own  garden  and  has  to  barter  for 
flowers  for  the  good  contentment  of  the  moment,  is  a  great  desideratum. 
In  the  borders  they  last  for  several  months.  Pyrethrmns  are  in  their 
height  of  beauty  in  June,  but  by  means  of  judicious  thinning  and  stopping, 
and  by  the  entire  prevention  of  the  formation  of  anything  Hke  seed,  they 
may  be  kept  blossoming  all  through  the  Summer.  If  this  be  too  much 
trouble,  and  a  continued  succession  is  not  wanted,  the  plants  may  be  cut 
right  down  after  their  Midsummer  blossoming,  when  they  wiU  spring  up 
again  with  rejuvenated  vigor,  and  blossom  gaily  again  in  the  Autumn  as 
vigorously  as  if  it  were  their  first  effort  for  the  year." 

Culture.  The  Pyrethrums  grow  nicely,  even  in  partial  shade, 
but  they  must  have  perfect  drainage.  An  important  point  in  their 
culture  is  alluded  to  above;  they  should  be  prevented  from  seeding  and 
if  cut  down  directly  after  they  have  produced  their  main  crop  of  bloom, 
they  will  bloom  profusely  late  in  Summer. 

Propagation.    Sow  the  seeds  or  divide  the  plants  in  Spring. 


Romneya — Matilija  Poppy,  California  Tree  Poppy 
White  Bush  Poppy,  Dream  of  the  Desert 

A  glorious  miracle!  Thus  has  the  Matihja  Poppy  been  described. 
With  its  transparent,  dehcate,  silvery,  crinkled  flowers  which  look  as 
if  they  were  made  of  the  finest  white  silk  crepe,  would  they  not  indeed 
present  a  glorious  appearance  ? 

The  Matihja  Poppy  {Romneya  Coulleri)  is  a  native  of  the  South- 
western States,  Mexico  and  Cahfornia  in  particular,  but  with  proper 
care,  it  can  be  grown  equally  well  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States. 
The  flowers  greatly  resemble  a  large,  white  single  Peony.    It  is  as 


148 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Left,  Pyrethrum  or  Pink  Daisy.      Could  our  illustration  but   show   the  colors  of 
these  Daisies!      Right,  Matilija  Poppy  or  Romneya,  a  glorious  miracle  of  silvery, 

silk  crepe. 


large,  being  4  inches  to  6  inches  in  diameter,  and  has  a  mass  of  golden 
yellow  stamens  in  the  center  of  the  pure  white,  crumpled  petals.  The 
leaves  are  bluish-green  and  are  very  deeply  cut.  This  Poppy  is  a  semi- 
shrub  and  grows  from  4  feet  to  6  feet  high,  spreading  out  each  year  until 
large  clmnps  are  formed.  The  flowers  come  into  bloom  about  the  end 
of  June  and  last  until  the  first  of  September;  they  are  borne  singly  on 
long  stems,  each  stem  having  from  six  to  twelve  or  fifteen  blooms. 
The  individual  flowers  last  about  three  days  and  have  a  delightful 
Primrose-fike  perfume. 

Uses.  The  Matilija  Poppy  is  grown  in  clumps  in  parks  or  gar- 
dens or  in  protected  semi-wild  places.  The  flowers  last  well  in  water 
and  their  delightful  perfume  and  delicate  satiny  beauty  make  them 
most  acceptable  in  any  room. 

Culture.  These  plants  should  be  planted  in  warm,  porous,  sandy 
loam  on  a  southern  exposure.  The  soil  should  be  free  from  stagnant 
moisture  or  water  at  all  times,  and  especially  so  during  the  dormant 
season  in  Wintertime.  Before  the  heavy  frosts  penetrate  to  the  roots, 
they  should  be  heavily  mulched.  After  the  plants  are  once  estabHshed, 
they  should  be  left  strictly  alone;  even  cultivation  around  the  roots 
seems  deterimental.     Like  herbaceous  perennials,  the    stems  die  to 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  149 

the  ground  each  year  and  the  flowers  are  borne  on  tlie  new   growtli 
which  comes  each  Spring. 

Propagation.  The  Matilija  Poppy  can  be  grown  from  seed,  but 
this  is  a  rather  unsatisfactory  method.  Root  cuttings  are  the  surest 
way.  The  roots  resemble  thick  prongs  to  which  very  few  libers  are 
attached.    Spring  is  the  best  time  for  transplanting. 

Rudbeckia — Cone  Flower,   Golden   Glow,   Black- 
Eyed  Susan 

The  garden's  gold  is  greatly  enhanced  in  Autumn  by  the  sorts  of 
Rudbeckias,  especially  the  Golden  Glow,  which  is  the  double  form  of 
Rudbeckia  laciniata.  Everyone  knows  this  common  perennial  and  ad- 
mires its  wealth  of  bloom.  One  of  the  handsomest  Coneflowers  is 
R.  Newmanii  (speciosa)  which  bears  golden  yellow  single,  Daisy-hke 
flowers  with  a  high  purple  cone  in  the  center.  R  blooms  from  August 
to  September  and  grows  several  feet  tall.  There  is  an  interesting  sort 
which  has  smooth,  gray-green,  Cabbage-Uke  leaves,  known  as  R. 
maxima.  The  plants  grow  6  feet  to  8  feet  tall  and  bear  bright  yellow 
flowers,  4  inches  or  5  inches  in  diameter,  upon  long,  stiff  stems.  The 
cone  at  the  center  is  often  2  inches  high.  Another  grayish  sort  is  R. 
suhiomeniosa,  but  in  this  case  the  leaves  and  stems  are  densely  covered 
with  hair.  The  flowers  are  brilhant  yellow  with  a  chocolate  center  and 
are  borne  in  large  clusters.  This  sort  also  blooms  in  late  Summer  and 
early  Fall.  The  Autumn  Sun,  /?.  nitida,  has  rich  yellow  flowers  in 
which  the  rays  are  decidedly  drooping.  R  blooms  from  August  to 
October.  R.  triloba  is  a  biennial  sort  with  yellow  flowers  which  have 
orange  or  purple-brown  markings  and  a  black  purple  cone  in  the  center. 

R.  purpurea,  the  Purple  Coneflower,  is  discussed  under  Echinacea. 

f  SES.  The  showy  character  of  the  plants  make  them  especially 
useful  in  bold  masses  for  the  border.  The  Golden  Glow  is  valued  where 
there  are  outbuildings,  fences,  and  unsightly  objects  to  be  hidden.  All 
the  sorts  serve  admirably  as  cut  flowers,  for  the  stems  are  long,  and  the 
blooms  are  lasting. 

Culture.  The  plants  thrive  anywhere,  but  are  especially  adapted 
to  sunny  plages.  When  many  of  the  sorts  are  cut  back  after  flowering, 
they  will  send  up  a  second  crop  of  flowers. 

Propagation.  All  the  sorts,  except  Golden  Glow,  may  be  grown 
from  seed,  but  the  usual  method  of  propagation  is  by  division  of  the 
plants  in  early  Spring.  Some  of  the  wild  Rudbeckias,  generally  known 
as  Rlack-eyed  Susans,  are  biennials.  These  are  raised  from  seed,  but 
as  they  usually  self-sow,  further  seeding  is  generally  unnecessary. 


150 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Salvia — Sage 

Many  persons  are  familiar  with  the  Scarlet  Sage  and  it  is  of  this 
plant  that  many  persons  will  think,  but  we  shall  speak  here  of  the 
hardy  Sages. 

Light  Blue  Salvias.    Salvia  azurea  grandiflora.    This  species  is 

one  of  great  beauty, 
bearing  hght  azure 
colored  flowers  in 
great  profusion  upon 
tall,  slender  spikes. 
The  plants  grow  from 
3  feet  to  4  feet  tall 
and  bloom  from  Au- 
gust until  frost. 

S.  farinacea  closely 
resembles  the  former 
species,  except  that 
the  calyx  ;enclosing 
the  flowers  is  a  mealy 
white.  It  is,'  there- 
fore, a  splendid  sort, 
the  blue  flowers  con- 
trasting with  the 
grayish  stems  land 
calyxes.  Some  per- 
sons have  said  that 
this  species  resembles 
the  Lavender,  but  it 
is,  of  course,  without 
the  fragrance  of  true 
Lavender.  Some  gar- 
deners advise  that 
this  sort  be  treated  as  an  aimual,  sowing  the  seeds  each  year. 

S.  uliginosa  is  also  a  blue  sort,  but  the  throats  of  the  flowers  are 
white.  The  plants  grow  5  feet  to  6  feet  taU  and  bloom  from  July  until 
frost.    In  general  appearance  it  is  similar  to  S.  azurea. 

Deep  Blue  or  Violet  Salvias.  S.  nemorosa  {virgaia  nemorosa). 
The  purpUsh-violet  flowers  are  produced  in  dense  clusters  in  July. 
The  calyxes  and  stems  become  reddish.  It  is  wise  to  cutthe  plants 
back  after  flowering,  in  which  case  they  bloom  again  in  Autumn. 


The   Azure    Sage    is    charming    in    the    Fall    months. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS  151 

S.  patens  is  the  deepest  indigo-blue,  a  most  unusual  color  but  the 
flowers  are  not  produced  in  great  profusion.  It  must  be  treated  as  an 
annual. 

Uses.  Most  sorts  of  Salvias  are  interesting  border  plants  where 
they  make  an  attractive  appearance  grown  in  masses.  They  are 
generally  good  cut  flowers  as  well. 

Culture.  Salvias,  although  of  easy  culture,  require  some  at- 
tention. Except  for  S.  azurea  grandiflora  they  are  not  perfectly  hardy 
and  will  need  some  protection  during  the  Winter.  Plant  Salvias  in 
the  sun  and  give  them  from  18  inches  to  2  feet  on  all  sides.  The  roots 
of  S.  patens  may  be  dug  and  wintered  in  a  cool  ceUar. 

Propagation.  Some  sorts  may  be  divided  in  the  early  Spring. 
S.  farinacea,  S.  patens,  and  S.  uliginosa  are  raised  from  seed  sown  in 
the  early  Spring,  in  which  case,  they  bloom  the  first  year  from  seed. 


Scabiosa — Pincushion  Flower 

To  those  persons  who  are  familiar  with  the  annual  sorts  of  Scabiosa, 
we  need  only  say  that  the  perennials  resemble  the  annuals,  except  that 
the  perennials  have  shorter  florets  at  the  center,  while  in  the  annual 
sorts  the  flowers  are  made  up  of  florets  of  more  uniform  length.  Scabiosa 
caucasica  is  the  commonest  perennial  with  flowers  either  light  hlac  blue 
or  white.  The  plants  grow^  2  feet  to  3  feet  taU.  The  leaves  are  not  cut 
as  is  the  case  with  the  annual  sorts.  It  blooms  from  June  to  September. 
S.  japonica  grows  1/4  feet  tall;  the  flowers  are  violet-blue  and  the 
leaves  are  somewhat  lobed.  S.  ochroleuca  is  a  sulphur  colored  species 
growing  l3^  feet  tafl. 

Uses.  The  graceful,  long,  wiry  stems  of  the  Pincushion  Flower  are 
attractive  in  the  border,  rising  as  they  do  from  a  tuft  of  leaves  upon  the 
soil.  They  are  best  used  in  the  front  of  the  border.  As  cut  flowers 
they  are  long  keeping  and  are  easily  arranged  in  vases. 

Culture.  They  prefer  weU  drained  locations  and  a  suimy  ex- 
posure. The  plants  are  said  to  prefer  h'mestone  soil.  They  winter 
over  exceUently  unless  standing  in  water-logged  soil. 

Propagation.  Scabiosas  are  readily  increased  from  seed  or  by 
division  of  the  plants.  The  strongest  plants  are  best  raised  from  seed. 
Mr.  Cecil  Davies  writes  that  "in  saving  seed,  that  produced  by  the 
central  flowers  should  be  chosen."  The  seeds  are  best  sown  in  Spring, 
but  the  plants  sometimes  do  not  bloom  until  the  next  year. 


152  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Sedum — Stonecrop 

If  there  is  a  rocky  spot  in  your  garden  you  will  desire  a  number  of 
sorts  of  Sedums,  for  they  are  most  interesting  in  habit,  leaf  and  flower. 
Sedums  are  wild  with  us  in  America,  but  there  are  also  many  sorts 
in  Europe  and  Asia. 

Species.  Sedum  spedabile.  Showy  Stonecrop.  This  is  one  of 
the  handsomest  of  all  Sedums.  It  has  pink  or  rosy-red  flowers  pro- 
duced abundantly  in  flat  clusters.  The  leaves  of  this  sort,  are  thick 
and  juicy,  as  is  the  case  with  all  Sedums.  The  flowers  open  in  late 
Summer  and  remain  in  bloom  several  months.  The  varieties  Brilliant 
and  atropurpureum  are  superior  to  the  wild  sort. 

iS.  acre.  Golden  Moss.  Wall  Pepper.  This  low,  tufted  perennial 
spreads  over  the  soil.  The  leaves  are  small,  attractive,  hght  green. 
The  flowers,  bright  yellow  in  color,  completely  cover  the  plants  and 
open  in  June  and  July. 

*S.  Sieboldii.  This  sort  has  round,  gray  leaves  borne  in  threes  and 
pink  flowers  produced  in  September.  The  plants  grow  less  than  a  foot 
tall.    In  the  Autumn  the  leaves  become  pinkish. 

The  following  sorts  are  also  good  and  should  be  searched  for  in 
catalogs  if  one  wishes  to  grow  more  of  the  species: 

S.  album,  white  flowers,  4  inches  to  6  inches  taU. 

S.  kamtschaticum,  yellow  flowers,  4  inches  to  6  inches  tall. 

S.  reflexum,  yellow  flowers,  6  inches  to  10  inches  tall. 

S.  sexangulare  (resembles  -S.  acre  but  leaves  and  plants  are  smaller). 

S.  sioloniferum  (spurium).  Purple  Stonecrop.  Pink  or  white 
flowers.    Trailing. 

S.  ternatum.     White  flowers.     Trailing. 

Uses.  For  perennial  borders  the  Stonecrops  are  dainty  and 
efl'ective  edging  plants.  As  a  cut  flower  the  Showy  Stonecrop  is  at- 
tractive. They  are  entirely  at  home  in  the  rock  garden.  For  planting 
in  rock  steps,  between  stepping  stones  and  for  a  ground  cover  the 
dwarf  sorts  are  unexcelled. 

Culture.  The  Sedmns  generally  prefer  a  sandy  soil;  at  least 
it  must  be  perfectly  drained  in  Winter.  Generally  the  Stonecrop 
thrives  best  in  sunbeaten  places,  but  many  of  them  may  be  coaxed  to 
grow  in  shaded  places  beneath  trees  and  shrubbery. 

Propagation.  The  propagation  is  simple:  each  piece  of  the 
plant  may  be  rooted  and  wiU  grow  into  a  good  plant  in  a  short  time. 
They  also  grow  from  seed. 


NOTEWOirniY  PERENNIALS 


1.58 


Above,    the    showy   Stonecrop,    a   graceful    though    sturdy   plant   for   all   gardens; 
below,   AruncuE    Sylvester    or    Goat's    Beard,    forming   feathery    masses    of    white 

flowers. 


154   .  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Spiraea — (Includes  Aruncus,  Astilbe,  Filipendula, 

Ulmaria) 

There  is  a  large  group  of  herbaceous  plants  of  great  beauty  known 
as  Spiraeas  but  which  should  be  properly  known  by  other  names.  They 
are  characterized  by  having  attractive,  airy  plumes  of  flowers,  in  fact, 
every  garden  has  a  place  for  a  few  of  them. 

Aruncus  Sylvester  (Goat's  Beard)  grows  5  feet  to  7  feet  tall  and  has 
feathery  white  flowers  produced  in  smaU  spikes,  forming  large  heads  of 
bloom.  They  bloom  from  June  to  July.  This  is  the  Spiraea  Aruncus 
found  in  the  catalogs.  This  sort  is  especially  useful  for  the  borders 
of  streams  in  half-shaded  places. 

Asiilbe.  The  Astflbe  resembles  the  Aruncus  superficially  in  the 
nature  of  their  feathery  flower  spikes,  but  generaUy,  as  seen  in  the 
garden,  they  are  not  as  taU.  Perhaps  the  most  popular  group  for  out- 
door planting  is  known  as  A.  Arendsii,  this  being  an  improved  race 
derived  from  hybridizing  many  other  species.  The  varieties  found  in 
catalogs  bear  rose,  hlac,  salmon-pink  and  white  flowers.  Some  of  the 
names  are:  Geres,  Juno,  Kriemhilde,  and  Vesta.  The  names  such  as 
japonica,  Davidii  and  grandis  are  the  species  of  Astilbe  which  are  the 
parents  of  the  named  varieties.  Large  quantities  of  A.  japonica  were 
formerly  imported  to  the  United  States  for  florist  use  at  Easter  time. 
A  federal  quarantine  prohibits  these  plants  now.  The  plants  in  the 
garden  bloom  in  June,  July  or  August. 

Filipendula.  Meadow  Sweet.  Ulmaria.  The  commoner  species 
known  as  the  Queen  of  the  Meadows,  Filpendula  Ulmaria,  is  a  tufted, 
fern-leaved  plant.  In  late  June  and  during  July  the  plants  send  up 
flower  stalks  18  inches  taU,  bearing  iftasses  of  white  flowers.  The  double 
sort,  flore  pleno,  is  more  showy  than  the  single.  F.  purpurea  {palmata) 
and  its  variety  elegans  have  red  and  pink  flowers  produced  in  large 
clusters,  the  crimson  flower  stems  growing  3  feet  tall.  They  bloom  from 
June  to  August. 

Use  and  Gulture.  These  plants  are  exquisite  for  the  border, 
where  they  lend  a  misty  charm  to  almost  any  combination  of  peren- 
nials. They  are  superb  pot  plants.  Filipendula  Ulmaria,  because  of 
its  dwarf  growth,  is  useful  as  an  edging  plant.  Gut  sprays  of  all  sorts 
add  much  to  a  bouquet  in  the  home.  They  prefer  a  rich  soil  and  an 
abundance  of  water  while  in  bloom;  for  this  reason  they  are  well 
planted  at  the  waterside.    They  are  at  home  in  half  shade. 

Propagation.  The  habit  of  growth  by  forming  dense  clumps 
suggests  the  easiest  method  of  increasing  the  plants;  that  is,  by  dividing 
them  with  a  strong  knife. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


155 


Stokesia — Stoke's  Aster,  Cornflower  Aster 

Generally  we  do  not  think  of  a  China  Aster  resembling  a  Corn- 
flower, but  it  is  true  that  the  Stokesia  resembles  them  both.  Stokesia 
Isevis  (cyanea)  is  a  low  plant,  seldom  above  iVz  feet  tall,  and  with  light 
lavender  blue,  white,  purple  and  rose  colored  flowers  produced  from 
early  July  to  October. 

Uses.  They  are  especially  recommended  for  the  front  of  a  border 
and  may  be  used  for  cut  flowers. 

Culture.  Generally  it  is  stated  that  this  plant  is  sensitive  to 
cold,  heavy  soils  and  seems  to  thrive  with  drought-resisting  subjects, 
well  drained  in  Winter.    It  prefers  full  sun. 

Propagation.     When  raised  from  seed  it  blooms  the  first  year. 


Thalictrum — Meadow  Rue,  Feathered  Columbine 

These  graceful,  feathery  flowers  add  an  airy  appearance  to  the 
border  of  perennials.    The  leaves  are  fine  and  resemble  the  foliage  of 


Left,  Meadow  Rue  or  Thalictrum,  altogether  charming  for  border    or   base;  right, 
Globe  Flower  or  Trollius,  like  a  Giant  Buttercup  of  golden  yellow. 


156  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

tile  Columbine.     Some  sorts  are  natives  of  our  woods,  but  the  eul- 
tivated  species  are  superior  in  the  size  of  their  pknny  heads. 

Species.  Thalictrum  aaiiileqi folium.  White  flowers,  June,  3  feet 
tall. 

T.  adiantijolium  (minus).     Yellow  flowers,  June  to  July,  1  foot. 

T.  dipterocarpum.  Rose-purple,  yellow  .  stamens,  August  to 
September,  5  feet.  Not  perfectly  hardy.  Best  stored  during  Winter 
in  moss  in  a  cellar. 

T.  glaucum.    Golden  yellow,  June  to  July,  4  feet. 

T.  Cornuii.    Native,  white,  July  to  September,  4  to  5  feet. 

T.  dioicum.  Native,  purphsh  and  greenish,  April  to  May,  1  to 
2  feet. 

Uses.  The  Meadow  Rues  are  excellent  for  the  border  and,  being 
refined  plants,  may  be  planted  in  the  intimate  spots  of  the  dooryard. 
The  cut  sprays  are  exquisite  for  bouquets.  T.  dipterocarpum  is  a  sort 
of  recent  introduction  with  distinct  flowers  having  petals. 

Culture.  The  plants  do  well  in  well  drained  shaded  places. 
T.  Cornuti  is  especially  good  for  moist  soil  along  streams. 

Propagation.  The  plants  are  readily  divided,  but  if  seed  is 
obtainable,  it  may  be  sown. 


Trollius — Globe  Flower 

The  Globe  Flower  is  a  glorified  Buttercup;  its  leaves  and 
flowers  resemble  the  Buttercup  in  form  but  are  larger.  Improved 
varieties  have  orange,  gold,  orange-red  and  lemon-colored  flowers, 
often  double.  The  commonest  species  is  Trollius  europseus,  but  while 
all  the  catalogued  species  resemble  each  other  in  form,  the  seasons 
and  the  colors  of  the  flowers  differ.  They  grow  about  'i  feet  tall  and 
bloom  throughout  the  Summer,  starting  in  late  May. 

Uses.  The  Globe  Flower  flourishes,  both  in  sun  and  shade,  and 
is  especially  at  home  in  borders  in  which  the  soil  is  a  trifle  too  damp 
for  other  plants.  They  are  showy  border  plants,  their  neat  habit 
and  compact  flowers  commend  them  to  all.  We  must  add  that  they 
grow  nicely  in  the  ordinary  garden  soil,  even  though  it  be  away  from 
the  waterside. 

Propagation.  Although  usually  propagated  from  seeds,  the 
plants  are  tardy  in  coming  into  bloom.    Old  plants  may  also  be  divided. 


NOTEWORTHY  PERENNIALS 


157 


Veronica — Speedwell 

When  Clirist  was  laboring  beneath  the  heavy  cross,  He  faltered, 
and  a  maiden,  St.  Veronica,  rushed  forward  to  wipe  the  perspiration 
from  His  brow.  The  impress  of  His  face  was  found  upon  her  napkin. 
Such  is  the  story  of  St. 
Veronica,  and  because  the 
markings  of  some  species  of 
Veronica  resemble  a  face, 
this  flower  was  named  after 
St.  Veronica.  It  is  a  pretty 
story  and  one  we  recall 
when  looking  at  this  flower. 
Veronicas  are  excellent  bor- 
der and  rock  garden  sub- 
jects. The  diversity  of  the 
species  render  them  of  use 
in  many  spots. 

Species.  Veronica  longi- 
folia  subsessilis.  Japanese 
SpeedweU.  This  is,  per- 
haps, one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive of  ah  blue-violet 
flowers  for  the  border.  The 
long  spikes  of  bloom  are 
2  feet  tall  and  are  pro- 
duced through  July  to  late 
September. 

V.  spicaia  grows  l3^  feet 
tall  and  bears  either  blue, 
pink,  or  white  flowers  in 
June. 

V.   incana  seldom  grows  over  a  foot  tall  and  besides  having  ame- 
thyst-blue flowers,  it  has  gray  fohage.    It  blooms  in  July  and  August. 
V.  virginica,  Culver's  Root,  is  a  taU  sort,  3  to  5  feet  high,  producing 
cliisters  of  white  spikes  of  bloom  throughout  July.     Often  called 
Leptandra  v  irg  in  ica . 

V.  Teucrium  rupeslris  and  V.  repens  are  dwarf,  trailing  sorts  car- 
peting the  soil  with  green  and  covered  with  pale  blue  flowers  in  May 
and  June. 

Uses.  As  already  stated  the  Veronicas  are  superb  for  the  peren- 
nial border  and  the  rock  garden.    V.  Teucrium  rupestris  and  V.  repens 


Veronica.      The  most  showy  sort  is  V.  longifolia 

var.    subsessilis,    with    its    tall    spikes    of    violet 

flowers. 


158  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

are  also  good  ground  covers  for  dry  banks  or  graves.    The  taller  sorts 
are  good  for  cutting,  especially  V.  longifolia  subsessilis. 

Culture.  Veronicas  are  of  easy  culture;  they  usually  prefer 
moist  soil.  Although  they  grow  in  poor  soil,  some  fertihzer  in  the 
form  of  bonemeal  will  increase  the  size  of  the  spikes.  They  generally 
prefer  full  sun,  perhaps  with  the  exception  of  V.  virginica  and  V.  repens. 

Propagation.  The  plants  are  easily  divided.  Seeds  may  be 
sown  and  some  sorts  root  when  the  branches  touch  the  soil. 


Yucca — Adam's  Needle  and  Thread,  Spanish 
Bayonet 

The  stiff,  broad,  sword-shaped  leaves  of  Yucca  filamentosa  are 
familiar  to  all.  In  Midsummer  the  flower  stalks,  rising  to  a  height  of 
6  feet,  are  also  famihar.  The  flowers  are  white  and  pendulous.  It  is 
a  personal  opinion  of  the  writer  that,  except  when  in  bloom,  they  are 
stiff,  coarse  and  undeserving  of  a  place  in  a  small  garden.  It  must  be 
admitted,  however,  that  they  are  remarkably  drought-resistant  and 
will  thrive  where  trees  rob  the  soil,  so  that  more  dainty  plants  cannot 
exist. 

Uses.  When  used  at  all  they  are  best  planted  as  specimens  or 
among  shrubbery. 

Culture.  They  will  exist  for  a  generation,  and  transplant  with 
difficulty  when  the  plants  become  old  as  the  roots  go  deeply. 

Propagation.  Seedlings  will  bloom  when  four  to  five  years  old. 
As  the  plants  sucker  freely,  this  furnishes  a  ready  means  of  propagation. 


INDEX  OF  PLANT  NAMES 


159 


INDEX  OF  PLANT  NAMES 

(Figures  in  italics  indicate  illustrations) 
Page 


Aaron's  Beard  (see  Hypericum). 

Achillea 40 

Accommodation    Flower    (see    Physos- 

tegia). 

Aconitum 41,  46 

Actaea 31 

Adam's  Needle  and  Thread  (see  Yucca). 

Adiantum 91 

Adlumia 4S 

Adonis 43 

^gopodium 44 

Ageratum,   Hardy    (see   Eupatorium). 
Agrimony,  Hemp  (see  Eupatorium). 
Agrostemma  (see  Lychnis). 

Ajuga 44 

Alkanet  (see  Anchusa). 
Allegheny  Vine  (see  Adlumia). 

Althaea 112,  113 

Alum  Root  (see  Heuchera). 

Alyssum 44 

American  Senna  (see  Cassia). 

Anchusa 45,  4^ 

Anemone 31.  47,  48,  163 

Anemone,  Rue  (see  Anemonella). 
Anemone,  Wood   (see  Anemone). 

Anemonella 31,  163 

Anethum 108 

Annual  Pine  (see  Artemisia). 

Anthemis 48 

Aquilegia 49,  50 

Arabis 51 

Arisaema 31,  163 

Arraeria 50,  52 

Arrhenatherum 98 

Artemisia 52,  109 

Aruncus 153,  154 

Arundinaria 99 

Arundo 98 

Asarum 31 ,  164 

Asclepias 53,  54 

Asperula 54 

Asphodel 55 

Asphodeline  (see  Asphodel). 

Aspidium 92 

Asplenium 91,  92 

Aster 48.  55 

Aster,  Stokes'  (see  Stokesia);  Wild  (see 

Aster). 

Astilbe 154 

Aubrietia 57 

Autumn  Glory  (see  Helianthus). 
Autumn  Sun  (see  Rudbeckia). 
Avens  (see  Geum). 
Baby's  Breath  (see  Gypsophila). 
Balloon    Flower,    Chinese    (see    Platy- 

codon). 
Bamboo    (see    Arundinaria    Bambusa 

and    Phyllostachys). 

Bambusa 99 

Baneberry  (see  Actaea). 

Baptisia 57,  59 

Barrenwort  (see  Epimedium). 
Basket  of  Gold  (see  Alyssum). 
Bayonet,  Spanish  (see  Yucca). 


Page 
Beard  Tongue   (see  Pentstemon). 

Beebalm 125 

Bellflower  (see  Campanula). 
Bellflower,  Chinese   (see  Platycodon). 

Bellis 58,  59 

Bells,  Coral  (see  Heuchera);  May  (see 

Convallaria). 
Bellwort  (see  Uvularia). 

Bergamot 125 

Birdseye  (see  Adonis). 
Bishop's  Hat  (see  Epimedium). 
Bishop's  Weed  (see  ^gopodium). 
Black  Blood  (see  Lythrum). 
Blanket  Flower  (see  Gaillardia). 
Blazing  Star  (see  Liatris). 
Bleeding  Heart   (see  Dicentra). 
Blood,   Black  (see  Lythrum). 
Blood  Root  (see  Sanguinaria). 
Blue  Bells,  Kentucky  (see  Mertensia). 
Blue-Eyed  Grass   (see  Sisyrinchium). 
Blue  Spiraea  (see  Caryopteris) 
Bluet  (see  Houstonia). 
Bluet,  Mountain  (see  Centaurea). 

Bocconia 59,  60 

Boltonia ' 61 

Boneset   (see   Eupatorium  and   Herbs). 
Borage  (see  Herbs). 

Bruckenthalia 102 

Buddleia 61,  62 

Bugbane  (see  Cimicifuga). 

Bugwort 71 

Bugle  Flower  (see  Ajuga). 

Burnet  (see  Herbs). 

Burning  Bush  (see  Dictarrinus). 

Butterfly  Bush  (see  Buddleia). 

Butterfly  Weed  (see  Asclepias). 

Cactus,  Hardy  (see  Opuntia  and  Echino- 

cactus). 

Callirhoe 63,  66 

Calluna 102 

Caltha 31 

Campanula 64,  66 

Campion,  Rose  (see  Lychnis). 

Camptosorus 92 

Candytuft  (see  Iberis). 
Canterbury  Bells  (see  Campanula). 
Cardinal  Flower  (see  Lobelia). 
Carnation  (see  Dianthus). 

Caryopteris 65 

Cassia 67 

Catchfly,  German  (see  Lychnis). 
Catnip   (see  Herbs). 

Caulophyllum 31,   164 

Celandine,  Tree 59 

Centaurea 67 

Cerastium 68,  69 

Ceratostigma 142 

Chalk  Plant  (see  Gypsophila). 
Chamomile   (see  Anthemis). 
Chamomile,  False  (see  Boltonia). 
Charley,  Creeping  (See  Lysimachia). 
Charity  (see  Polemonium). 

Chelone 31,  66.  69 

Chickweed,  Mouse-ear  (see  Cerastium). 


160 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Page 

Chimapliila 31,   165 

Chrysanthemum,  Hardy 70 

Chrysanthemum   (see  also  Pyrethrum). 

Cimicifuga ' 71 

Cinquefoil  (see  Potentilla). 

Clavtonia 31,   165 

Clematis 66,   72 

Clifif  Rose  (see  Armeria). 
Climbing  Fumitory  (see  Adlumia). 

Clintonia ^!.    165 

Cohosh,   Black  (see  Cimicifuga). 
Cohosh,   Blue  (see  Caulophyllum). 
Colt's-foot  (see  Tussilago). 
Columbine  (see  Aquilegia). 
Columbine,  Feathered  (see  Thalictrum). 
Common    Chamomile    (see  Anthemisl. 
Cone   Flower    (see   Rudbeckia);    Purple 
(see  Echinacea). 

Conoclinium 90 

Convallaria 72 

Coral  Bells  (see  Heuchera). 

Coreopsis 69,   73 

Corn  Cockle  (see  Lychnis). 

Cornflower  (see  Centaurea). 

Cornflower  Aster  (see  Stokesia). 

Cortaderia   (see   Gynerium). 

Cowslip  (see  Primula). 

Cowslip,  Virginian  (see  Mertensia). 

Crane's  Bill   (see  Geranium). 

Creeping  Jenny  (see  Lysimachia). 

Cuckoo  Flower  (see  Lychnis). 

Culver's  Root  (see  Veronica). 

Cypripedium ^1 .   1 65 

Daisies 74 

Daisy,  English  (see  P-ellis). 
Daisy,  Pink  (see  Pyrethrum). 

Daisy,  Shasta 7  '^ 

Daphne 75 

Day  Lily  (see  Hemerocallis  ard  Funkia). 

Delphinium 75,   76 

Dentaria 31.    165 

Devil's  Bit  (see  Liatris). 

Dianthus 78,   70 

Dicentra 31,  SO 

Dicksonia 91 

Dictainnus 80,  81 

Dielytra    (see   Dicentra V 

Digitalis ^-^ 

Dill  (see  Herbs). 
Dittany  (see  Dictamnus). 

Dodecatheon 31,   166 

Dog-tooth  Violet  (see  Erythronium). 

Doronicum 82,  86 

Dragon  Head,  False  (see  Pbysostegia). 
Dream  of  the  Desert  (see  P.omneya). 
Dusty  Miller  (see  Lychnis,  Centaurea). 
Dutchman's  Breeches  (see  Dicentra). 

Eardrops,  Golden   (see  Dicenira). 

Echinacea 85 ,  .S'6' 

Fchinocactus 63 

Eclunops ^S,  86^ 

Edelweiss 87 

Flymus 99 

English  Daisy   (see  Bellis). 

Epimedium 87 

Erianthus 100 

Erica 102 

Erigeron 88 

Eryngium 89 

Erythronium 31,   166 


Page 

Eulalia 100 

Eupatorium 90 

Fairies'  Breath  (see  Gypsopiiila). 

Fairy  Flowers  (see  Ilcuchera). 

False  Chamomile 61 

False  Dragonhead n9,   140 

False  Indigo  (see  Baptisia). 

False  Starwort 61 

False  Wall  Cress 57 

h'ennel  (see  ?Ierbs). 

P>rns:  Christmas  (see  Aspleniuni); 
Cinnamon  (see  Osmunda);  Climbing 
(see  Lygodium);  Flowering  (see  Os- 
m.unda);  Gossamer  (see  Dicksonia); 
Hartford  (see  Lygodium);  Hay- 
scented  (see  Dicksonia);  Lady  (see  ^ 
Asplenium);  Maidenhair  (see  .Adian- 
tum);  Male  (see  Lastrea);  Polypody 
(see  Polypodium);  Royal  (see  Os- 
munda); Shield  (see  Aspidium); 
Walking  (see  Cainotosonis). 

Festuca 100 

Feverfew   (see   Herbs). 

Filipendula 154 

Five  Finger  (see  Potentilla). 

Flag  (see  Iris). 

Flame  Flower  (see  Phlox). 

Flax  (see  Linum). 

Flax,  Spurge  (see  Daphne). 

Fleabane  (see  Erigeron). 

Florence 108 

Flower  of  Jove  (see  Lychnis). 

Foam  Flower  (see  Tiarella). 

Foeiiculum 108 

Foxglove   (see  Digitalis). 

Fraxinella 80 

Funkia 27,  93 

Gaillardia 86,  94 

Gardener's  Garter  (see  Phalaris). 

Garland   Flower   (see   Daphne). 

Gas  Plant  (see  Dictamnus). 

Gauze  F^lower  (see  Gypsophila). 

Gay  Feather,  Kansas  (see  Liatris). 

Gentian  (see  Gentiana). 

Gentiana Ol 

Geranium 31,  96 

Geum 97 

Ginger,  Wild  (see  Asarum) 

Glor,e  Flower loo,   156 

Globe  Thistle  (see  Echinops). 

Gnapl'.alium 87 

Goat's  Beard  (see  .Aruncus). 

Goat  Weed  (see  /Egopodium). 

Gold  Dust  (see  Ayssum). 

Gold  Flower  (see  Hypericum). 

Golden  Eardrops 81 

Golden  Glow  (see  Rudbeckia). 

Golden  Marguerite  (see  Anthemis). 

Golden  Moss  (see  Sedum). 

Goldentuft  (see  Alyssum). 

Gooseneck   (see  Lysimachia). 

Grass:  Fescue  (see  Festuca);  F"ountain 
(see  Pennisetum);  Hardy  Pampas 
(see  Erianthus) ;  Knot  Grass  (see 
Polygonum);  Lime  (see  Elymus); 
Pampas  (see  Gynerium) ;  Plume  (see 
Erianthus);  Ribbon  (see  Phalaris); 
Spike  (see  Uniola). 

Grasses,  Ornamental 97 

Ground   Ivy   (see  Nepeta). 


INDEX  OF  PL\NT  NAMES 


161 


Page 

Gynerium 100 

Gypsophila 101 

Hardheads  (see  Centaurea). 

Harebell 64 

Heath,  Mexican  (see  Physostegia). 

Heather,   American    (see    Physostegia). 

Heather  (see  Calluna,  Erica,  Menziesia, 
Bruckenthalia). 

Helenium 103 

Helen's  Flower  (see  Helenium). 

Helianthus 104,   105 

Heliopsis 106 

Helmet  Flower  (see  Aconitum). 

Hemerocallis 106,  107 

Hepatica 31,   167 

Herb  Margaret  (see  Bellis). 

Herb  Robert  (see  Geranium). 

Herbs 108.  109 

Hesperis 110 

Heuchera HO,  m 

Hibiscus Ill 

Hinge  Flower  (see  Physostegia). 

Hollyhock  (see  Althaea). 

Honeysuckle  (see  Aquilegia). 

Horebound    (see   Herbs). 

Horse  Mint 125 

Hosta  (see  Funkia). 

Houstonia 31,  167 

Hydrophyllum 31.  167 

Hypericum 115 

Hypoxis 31.   167 

Hyssop  (see  Herbs). 

Iberis 116 

Indian  Senna  (see  Cassia). 

Indigo,  False  (see  Baptisia). 

Iris Ill,  116 

Italian  Borage  (See  Anchusa). 

Ivory  Thistle  (see  Eryngium). 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit  (see  Arisaeuia). 

Jacob's  Ladder  (see  Polemonium). 

Jeffersonia 31,   167 

Jenny,  Creeping  (see  Lysimachia). 

Jerusalem  Cross  (see  Lychnis). 

Joe-Pye  Weed  (see  Eupatorium). 

King's  Spear  (see  Asphodeline). 

Knapweed 67 

Knot  Grass  (see  Polygonum). 

Lady  Slipper,  Pink  and  Yellow  (see 
Cypripedium). 

Larkspur  (see  Delphinium). 

Lastrea 91 

Lavandula 108,  118 

Lavender  (see  Lavandula). 

Lead  Plant  or  Leadwort  (see  Plumbago). 

Leontopodium 87 

Leopard's  Bane  (see  Doronicum). 

Leptandra  (see  Veronica  virginica). 

Liatras..... 107,  118 

Lily:  Corfu  (see  Funkia);  Day  (see 
Hemerocallis  and  Funkia);  Lemon 
(see  Hemerocallis) ;  of  the  Valley 
(see  Convallaria) ;  Plantain  (see  Fun- 
kia). 

Linum 114,  119 

Lobelia 120 

Loosestrife  (see  Lysimachia). 

Loosestrife,  Purple  (see  Ly thrum). 

Lungwort,  Smooth  (see  Mertensia). 

Lupine   (see  Lupinus). 

Lupinus 31,  120,   121 


Page 

Lychnis 122,  126 

Lygodium 92 

Lysimachia 31,   123 

Lythrum 123 

Madwort  (see  Alyssum). 

Mallow,  Marsh  (?ee  Hibicus);  Poppy  (see 
Callirhoe);  Rose,  Swamp  (see  Hibis- 
cus); Marvels  (see  Hibiscus). 

Maltese  Cross  (see  Lychnis). 

Marjoram,  Sweet  (see  Herbs). 

Marrubium 109 

Marsh  Mallow 1 1 1 

Marsh  Marigold  (see  Caltha). 

Matilija  Poppy  (see  Romneya). 

May  Apple  (see  Podophyllum). 

May  Bells  (see  Convallaria). 

Meadow  Rue  (see  Thalictrum). 

Meadow  Sweet  (see  Filipendula). 

Mentha 108 

Menziesia 102 

Mertensia 124 

Michaelmas  Daisy   (see  Aster). 

Milfoil   (see  Achillea). 

Milkweed  (see  Ascelpias). 

Mint  (see  Herbs). 

Miscanthus 100 

Mist  Flower  (see  Eupatorium). 

Mitchella 31,  168 

Mitella 31.  88,  168 

Mitrewort  (see  Mitella). 

Monarda 125,  126 

Moneywort   (see   Lysimachia). 

Monk's  Hood  (see  Aconitum). 

Moss,  Golden  (see  Sedum). 

Moss  Pink  (see  Phlox). 

Mountain  Bluet   (see  Centaurea). 

Mountain  Fringe  (see  Adlumia). 

Mullein  Pink  (see  Lychnis). 

Myosotis 32,  35 

Myrtle,  Periwinkle  (see  Vinca). 

Nepeta 109,  168 

Obedient  Plant  (see  Physostegia). 

(Enothera 125,  129 

Old  Man  (see  .\rtemisia). 

Old  Woman  (see  Artemisia). 

Opuntia 63 

Origanum 108 

Osmunda 91 

Oswego  Tea 125 

Oxlip  (see  Primula). 

Papaver 126,   127.   128 

Partridge  Berry  (see  Mitchella). 

Peach  Bell  (see  Campanula). 

Pedicularis 31,   169 

Pennisetum 100 

Pentstemon 135,  1^0 

Peony 130,   131,  133 

Pepper,  Wall  (see  Sedum). 

Phalaris 101 

Pheasant's  Eye  (see  Dianthus  and 
.\donis). 

Phlox 136.  137 

Phyllostachys 99 

Physostegia 139,  I40 

Picotee 78 

Pincushion  Flower  (see  Scabiosa). 

Pinks  (see  Dianthus) 

Pink,  Moss  (see  Phlox). 

Pink,   Mullein   (see  Lychnis). 

Pipsissewa   (see  Chimaphila) 


162 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 


Page 
IJfi,  141 


IJ^2 


.31,  169 
.31,   143 


lJt6 
169 


H8 


Platycodon 

Pleurisy  Root  (see  Asclepias). 

Plumbago 

Plume  Poppy  (see  Bocconia). 

Podophyllum 

Polemonium 

Polyantha  (see  Primula). 

Polygonatum 31,  169 

Polygonum I42,  144 

Polypodium 29 

Poppy,  California  Tree  (see  Romneya); 
Poppy,  Iceland  (see  Papaver) 
Poppy  Mallow  (see  Callirhoe). 

Poppy,  Matiliia 147,  H8 

Poppy,  Oriental  (see  Papaver). 
Poppy,  Plume  (see  Bocconia). 
Poppy,  White  Bush   (see  Romneva). 

Potentilla 144 

Primrose,  Evening  (see  (Enothera). 
Primrose  (see  Primula). 

Primula 145, 

Purple  Rock  Cress  (see  Aubrietia). 

Pyrethrum 146, 

Pyrola 31, 

Queen  of  the  Meadows  (see  Spiraea). 
Ragged  Robin,  Double  (see  Lychnis). 
Reed,  Giant  (see  Arundo). 
Rock  Cress  (see  Arabis). 
Rock  Madwort  (see  Alyssum). 
Rocket,  Sweet  (see  Hesperis). 

Romneya 147, 

Rose  Campion  (see  Lychnis). 
Rose  of  Heaven  (see  Lychnis). 
Rosemary  (see  Herbs). 

Rudbeckia 149 

Rue,  Meadow  (see  Thalictrum). 
Rush,  Japanese  (see  Eulalia). 
Sage  (see  Salvia). 

Salvia 109,  150 

Sanguinaria 31,  170 

Sanguisorba 108 

Saxifraga 31 .  170 

Saxifrage,   Early   (see  Saxifraga). 

Scabiosa 151 

Scarlet  Lightning  (see  Lychnis). 
Sea  Bugloss  (see  Anchusa). 
Sea  Holly  (see  Eryngium). 
Sea  Pink  (see  Armeria). 

Sedum 152,  153 

Senna,  American  and  Indian  (see  Cassia). 
Shell  Flower  (see  Chelone). 
Shin  Leaf  (see  Pyrola). 
Shooting  Star  (see  Dodecatheon), 

Sisyrinchium 31,  170 

Smilacina 31,  170 

Snake  Head  (see  Chelone). 
Snakeroot,  Button  (see  Liatris). 
Snakeroot,  Virginia  (see  Cimicifuga). 
Snakeroot,    White    (see    Eupatorium). 
Sneezeweed  (see  Helenium). 
Snow-in-Summer  (see  Cerastium). 
Solomon's  Seal,  False   (see  Smilacina). 
Solomon's  Seal  (see  Polygonatum). 
Southern  Wood  (see  Artemisia). 
Spanish  Bayonet  (see  Yucca). 
Speedwell  (see  Veronica). 
Spiderwort    (see   Tradescantia). 
Spiraea 154 


Page 
Spiraea,  Blue  (see  Caryopteris). 
Spring  Beauty  (see  Claytonia). 

Spurge  Flax 75 

Squirrel's  Corn  (see  Dicentra). 
Starwort,  False  (see  Boltonia). 
Star  Grass  (see  Hypoxis) . 
Stokes'  Aster  (see  Stokesia). 

Stokesia 155 

Stonecrop  (see  Sedum). 

St.  John's  Wort  (see  Hypericum). 

Summer  Fir  (see  Artemisia). 

Summer  Forget-me-not  (see  Anchusa) . 

Summer  Lilac  (see  Buddleia) 

Sun,  Autumn  (see  Rudbeckia). 

Sundrops  (see  CEnothera). 

Sunflower  (see  Helianthus) ;  Orange  (see 

Heliopsis). 
Susan,  Black-eyed  (see  Rudbeckia). 
Sweet  Rocket  (see  Hesperis). 
Sweet  William  (see  Dianthus) ;  Wild  (see 

Phlox). 
Sweet  Woodruff  (see  Asperula). 
Tansy  (see  Herbs). 
Tarragon  (see  Herbs). 

Thalictrum 155 

Thistle,    Globe    (see   Echinops) ;    Ivory 

(see  Eryngium) 
Thimbles,  Witches'  (see  Digitalis). 
Thrift  (see  Armeria). 
Thoroughwort   (see  Eupatorium). 
Thyme  (see  Herbs). 

Tiarella SO,  31,   170 

Tickseed  (see  Coreopsis). 
Toothwort  (see  Dentaria). 

Tradescantia 31,170 

Tree  Celandine 59 

Trillium 31,   170 

Trollius 155,  156 

Turtle  Head  (see  Chelone). 

Tussilaso 31,   170 

Twin  Leaf  (see  Jeffersonia). 

Ulmaria 154 

Uniola 101 

Uvularia 31,   170 

Valerian,  Greek  (see  Polemonium). 

Veronica lo'7 

Vinca 31,  170 

Viola 31,   170 

Violet,  Damask  (see  Hesperis). 
Violet  (see  Viola). 
Virgin's   Bower  (see  Clematis). 
Waldmeister    (see   Asperula). 
Wall  Cress  (see  Arabis). 

Wall  Cress,  False 57 

Wall  Pepper  (see  Sedum). 

Water  Leaf  (see  Hydrophyllum). 

Weed,   Butterfly  (see  Asclepias). 

Weed,  Joe-Pye  (see  Eupatorium). 

Weed,  Knot  (see  Polygonum). 

Weed,  Sneeze  (see  Helenium). 

Wild  Indigo   (see  Baptisia). 

Windfiower  (see  Anemone). 

Wolfsbane  (see  Aconitum). 

Wood  Betony  (see  Pedicularis). 

Wormwood  (see  Herbs  and  Artemisia). 

Yarrow  (see  Achillea). 

Yucca 158 


TABULAR  CULTURAL  INDEX 


163 


TABULAR  CULTURAL  INDEX 

(For  Synonyms  See  Preceding  Index  of  Plant  Names) 


Species  or  variety 

Achillea  Eupatorium.  . .  . 
Achillea  filipendulina. . . . 
Achillea  millefolium     ro- 

seum 

Achillea  Ptarmica 

Achillea  tomentosum 

Aconitum  bicolor 

Aconitum  Fischeri 

Aconitum  Lycoctonum. . 

Aconitum  Xapellus 

Aconitum  Wilsonii 

Adiantum  pedatum 

Adlumia  fungosa 

Adonis  amurensis 

Adonis  pyrenaica 

Adonis  vernalis 

^gopodium  Podagraria. 

Agrostemma    (see   Lych- 
nis)  

Ajuga  genevensis 

Ajuga  reptans 

Althsa  (see  Hollyhock) . 

Alyssum  rostratum 

Alyssum  saxatile 

Anchusa  italica 

Anchusa  myosotidiflora. . 
Anemone  japonica 

Anemone  Pulsatilla 

Anemone  quinquefolia. . . 
Anemonella  thalictroides 

Anthemis  montana 

Anthemis  tinctoria 

Aquilegia  canadensis. .  . . 

Aquilegia  chrysantha 

Aquilegia  ccerulea 

Aquilegia  flabellata 

Aquilegia  formosa 

Aquilegia  glandulosa. .  . . 

Aquilegia  longissima 

Aquilegia  Skinneri 

Aquilegia  vulgaris 

Arabis  albida 

Arabis  alpina 

Arissema  triphyllum 

Armeria  cephalotes 

Armeria  Laucheana. 

Armeria  maritima 

Arrhenatherum       bulbo- 

sum 

Artemisia  abrotanum..  . . 
Artemisia  lactiflora 


Page 

Height 
in  feet 

40 

4  to  5 

40 

4  to  5 

40 

2 

40 

IV, 

40 

41 

4 

41 

3 

41 

4 

41 

4 

41 

6 

91 

1  to  1,^ 

42 

15 

43 

1 

43 

1 

43 

1 

44 

1 

122 

44 

1 

44 

1 

112 

44 

1 

44 

I 

45 

3  to  5 

45 

1 

47 

2  to  3 

47 

H 

47 

31 

yi 

48 

2 

48 

l>^to2 

49 

2 

49 

2H 

49 

2H 

49 

2 

49 

2 

49 

1  to  IH 

49 

2 

49 

1  to2 

49 

1  to  IH 

51 

Vz 

51 

Vi 

31 

1  to  VA 

52 

1 

52 

1 

52 

1 

98 

M 

52 

2  to  3 

52 

5 

Flowering 
Period 


July-Sept. 
July-Sept. 

Summer 
Summer 
June-July 
Juno-July 

Oct. 

June-July 

June-Julv 

Sept. 


Summer 

April-May 

May 

May 

July  or  Aug. 


May 

May 

June 

April 

June-July 

Summer 
Aug.  to  Oct. 

April 

April 

April 

Aug.  to  Sept. 

Aug.  to  Sept. 

April-May 

May 

May 
May- June 

May 

May 

May 

May 

May 

April 

April 
May 

May-Aug. 
May- Aug. 
May-Aug. 


Aug. 
Aug.-Oct. 


Color 


Yellow 
Yellow 

Pink 

White 

Yellow 

White,  blue 

Bluish-violet 

Yellow 

Dark  blue 

Pale  blue 


Purplish 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 

White 


Dull   red,    blue 

white 
Purplish  blue 

Yellow 

Yellow 

Deep  blue 

Bright  blue 
White,  pink 

Violet 

White 

White 

Creamy  white 

Golden  yellow 

Yellow,  scarlet 

Yellow 

Blue  and  white 

Lilac 

Yellow  and  scarlet 

Blue  and  white 

Yellow 

Greenish  orange 

Lilac,  white 

White 

White 
Purple,  green 

Bright  pink 

Pink 

Pink 

Leaves  green  and 

white 

Greenish  white 

Creamy  white 


Remarks 


Same  as  A.  filipendulina 

The  tallest   Achillea 

Pink  variety  of  common 
Yarrow 

Double  varieties  best 

Edging  plant 

Larkspur-like  plant 

Latest  to  bloom 

Common   yellow   species 

Larkspur-like  plant 

A  tall  species 

Perhaps  the  most  grace- 
ful hardy  fern 

Dainty  biennial  climber 

I  Attractive  foliage 

I  Do  not  transplant  often 

Excellent  for  stubborn 
situations 


Good  under  trees 

Good  under  trees 

Later  than  next  species 
Excellent  border  plant 
One  of  the  real  blue  flow- 
ers of  the  garden 
Good  dwarf  plant 
Excellent   Autumn   flow- 
ers 
Seed  heads  attractive 
A  dainty  native  sort 
A  dainty  native  sort 

I  Good  cut  flower 

Our  common  native 
Long  spurs 
Long  spurs 
Short  spurs 


Spurs  33-^2  in. -6  in.  long 

One    of    the    best    early 
Spring  edging  plants 

The      familiar      Jack-in- 
the-Pulpit 

[Excellent  edging  plant 


A  grass  for  edging 
Old-fashioned  favorite 
Bold     perennial 


1G4 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNL\LS 


Tabular  Cultural  Index — Continued 


Species  or  variety 

Page 

Height 
in  feet 

Flowering 
Period 

Color 

Remarks 

Artemisia  Purshiana 

52 

IH 

Aug. 

White  leaves 

Artemisia  saccrorum 

52 

2 

Sept.-Oct. 

White 

Good      annual;      foliage 
fine,  fern-like 

Artemisia  stelleriana 

52 

m 

Aug. 

Silvery  white 
leiwes 

Another        old-fashioned      , 
edging  plant 

Aruncus  Sylvester 

154 

5  to  7 

June-July 

White 

The  tallest  of  the  Spiraea's 

Arundinaria  auricoma.  . . 

99 

3 

Leaves  green  and 
yellow 

Arundinaria  Fortunei — 

99 

IH 

Loaves  green  and 
white 

Hardy  Bamboos 

Arundinaria  japonica 

99 

8  to  10 

Leaves  green 

Arundinaria  Simonii 

99 

15 

Leaves  green 

Arundo  Donax 

98 

20 

Leaves  green  and 

white 

The  tallest  grass 

Asarum  canadense 

31 

-4 

April 

Purple 

Leaves    of    most    superb 
texture 

Asclepias  tuberosa 

53 

2 

July-Aug. 

Orange 

Very  showy 

Asperula  odorata 

54 

1 

April-May 

White 

Dainty  border  plant 

Asphodelus  luteus 

55 

4 

June 

Yellow 

Deserves  more  attention 

Aspidium  marginale 

92 

1 

A  common  woods  shield 
fern 

Aspidium  spinulosa 

92 

1 

A  fern  with  finely  divided 
fronds 

Asplenium  acrostichoides 

92 

1 

An  evergreen  fern 

Asplenium  Filix-foemina 

92 

2  to  3 

Fine  foliage  fern 

Astilbe  Arendsii 

154 

1^2  to  2 

June-Aug. 

Various 

A     superior     group     of 

Spiraeas 

Astilbe  japonica 

154 

]  1  £ 

June-Aug. 

White 

The  old  favorite  of  the 
florist 

Aubrietia  deltoidea 

57 

Vi 

April-May 

Purple 

Good  edging  plant 

Bambusa  palmata 

99 

1 

Leaves  green 

Hardy  Bamboo 

Baptisia  australis 

57 

2V2  to  3 

June-July 

Dark  blue 

Pea-like  flower 

Baptisia  tinctoria 

57 

2 

June 

Yellow 

Bellis  perennis 

58 

/2 

May 

Pink- white 

Excellent    edging    plant 

for  early  Spring 

Bocconia  cordata 

59 

etos 

July-Aug. 

Greenish-pink 

A  bold,  gray-leaved,  tall 
perennial 

Boltonia  asteroides 

61 

4  to  5 

Aug.-Sept. 

White 

Resembles  wild  Aster 

Boltonia  latisquama  nana 

61 

2 

Aug.-Sept. 

Pink 

Like  a  dwarf  wild  Aster 

Bruckenthalia        spiculi- 

102 

H  to  ?4 

June 

Light  pink 

One     of    the    heath-like 

folia 

plants 

Buddleia  variabilis 

61 

6 

June-Oct. 

Lilac 

Good   background   plant 
for  perennial  border 

Callirhoe  involucrata 

63 

1/2  to   K 

July-Sept. 

Rosy  crimson 

Trailing     mallow-like 
plant 

Calluna  crispa 

102 
102 

1  to  Wi 

1  to  \\^ 

Aug.-Sept. 
Aug.-Sept. 

Pinkish  lavender 
Purple  white 

Calluna  vulgaris 

Scotch  Heather 

Caltha  palustris 

31 

H 

April 

Yellow 

A  common  native  plant 

Campanula  carpatica 

64 

1 

June-Oct. 

Blue,  white 

of  marshes 
Excellent  edging  plant 

Campanula  Medium 

64 

3 

June-July 

Pink,  rurple,  white 

Very  large  bells 

Campanula  persicifolia... 

64 

2 

June-July 

Blue,  white 

Graceful  border  plant 

Campanula  pyramidalis . 

64 

4  to  6 

Sept. 

Blue 

Tallest  Bellflower 

Campanula  rotundifolia  . 

64 

1 

June-Aug. 

Blue 

Dainty  native  plant 

Camptosorus    rhizophyl- 

92 

A   very   interesting   fern 

lus 

which  creeps  over  the 

rocks 

Caryopteris      Mastacan- 

thus 

65 
67 

3  to  4 

4  to  5 

Sept.-Oct. 
Aug.-Sept. 

Lavender  blue 
Yellow 

Protect  in  Winter 

Cassia  marilandica 

Massive    perennial    with    ^ 

pea-like  flowers                4 

Ca  ulophyllum    t  h  a  1  i  c  - 

1 

troides 

31 

1  to  3 

April- May 

Greenish  yellow 

Fruits  blue                          J 

TABULAR  CULTURAL  INDEX 


165 


Tabular  Cultural  Index — Continued 


Species  or  variety 


Centaurea  babylonica. 
Centaurea  Cineraria  . . 


Centaurea  dea'.bata.  . .  . 
Centaurea  gymnocarpa. 


Centaurea  macrocephala. 
Centaurea  montana. . 
Cerastium  arvense.  . .  . 
Cerastium  Biebersteinii 

Cerastium  tomentosum... 

Ceratostigma  (see  Plum 

bago) 

Chelone  glabra 

Chelone  Lyonii 

Chimaphila  umbellata. . 
Chrysanthemum,  hardy 


Cimicifuga  dahurica.. 
Cimicifuga  racemosa . 
Cimicifuga  simplex. . . 
Claytonia  virginica. .. 
Clematis  Davidiana. . 

Clematis  heracleaefolij 
Clematis  recta 


Page 


Clintonia  borealis 

Conoclinium   (see   Eupa- 

torium) 

Convallaria  majalis 


lanceolata 


Coreopsis 

grandifiora 

Coreopsis  rosea 

Coreopsis  verticillata. . . 

Cypripedium  acaule 

Cypripedium  pubescens. 
Daphne  Cneorum 


Daphne  Mezereum.. 
Delphinium  hybrids. 


Dentaria  diphylla 

Dianthus  barbatus 

Dianthus  chinensis  Hed 
dewigii 


Dianthus  deltoides 

Dianthus  latifolius  atro- 

cocinneum 

Dianthus  plumarus 


Dicentra  canadensis. 
Dicentra  cuccularia.  . 
Dicentra  chrysantha. 
Dicentra  eximia 


6S 


142 


31 
70 

71 
71 
71 
31 

72 

72 
72 

31 

90 

72 


75 


Dicentra  spectabiiis. . .  . 
Dicksonia  punctilobula. 


Height 
in  feet 


78 


78 


80 


Flowering 
Period 


VA 

3H 

2 

VA 


H 


2 
2 

H  to  H 

2  to  3 


4  to  8 
2  to  3 


1 

VA 


Summer 

July-Sept. 
Summer 

July-Aug. 
May-Sept. 
June-July 
June-July 

June 


Aug.-Sept. 
Aug.-Sept. 
June-Aug. 
Sept.-Nov. 

Sept. 

July-Aug. 

Oct. 

April 

Aug.-Sept. 

.\ug.-Sept. 
Summer 

May- June 


Color 


May 


June-Aug. 
Aug.-Sept. 
July-Aug. 
April-May 
April-May 
April-Oct. 

Feb.-April 

June-July 

April 
May 

May 

May 

May-Oct. 
May 

April 
April 
April 
May 

April-June 


Yellow 
White  leaves 

Rose 
White  leaves 

Yellow 

Blue,  white 

White 

White 

White 


White 

Rose 

Flesh  color 

Various 

White 
White 
White 
Pinkish  lavender 
Blue 

Pale  blue 
White 

Greenish-yellow 


Remarks 


White 


Yello  w 

Rosy  pink 

Yellow 

Pink 

Yellow 

Pink 

Lilac  purple 
Violet,  purple, 
orange,  white 

White 
Various 

Various 

Rosy  pink,  white 

Crimson 
Various 

White 

White,  yellow 

Yellow 

Pink 

Rose 


Commonly  called  Dusty 
Miller 

Finer  leaves  than  Cen- 
taurea Cineraria 

Tall,  large  flowered  sort 

Good  border  plant 

Green  leaf  form 

Larger  flowers  than  next 
species 

Excellent  gray-foliaged 
edging  plant 


Good  for  wet  places 
Good  for  wet  places 
Evergreen  leaves 
See  Daisy  for  other  spe- 
cies 

All     suited     to     moist, 
shady  places 

.\  dainty  native  flower 
Whorls     of     bell-shaped 
flowers 

Large  masses  of  flowers 

and  foliage 
A  wild  flower 


The  sweet  Lily  of  the 
Valley 

One  of  the  standard  gar- 
den perennials 

A  creeping  Coreopsis 

.\  small  flowered  sort 

ITwo  showy  Lady  Slip- 

J     per    Orchids 

A  most  dainty,  fragrant 
flower 

One  of  earliest  shrubs  of 
the  garden 

Some  of  the  most  strik- 
ing garden  flowers 

A  common  wild  flower 

Border  plant,  ages  old 

Resembles     the     annual 

China  Pink 
A  dainty  rock  plant 

Like  a  hardy  Carnation 
Indespensable     edging 

plant 
I  Dainty  native  plants 

Now  used  as  a  substitute 
for  D.  spectabiiis 

One  of  the  old-fashioned 
favorites 

A  good  hardy  fern 


166  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENMALS 

Tabular  Cultural  Index — Continued 


Species  or  variety 

Page 

Height 
in  feet 

Flowering 
Period 

Color 

Remarks 

Dictamnus  albus 

Digitalis  grandiflora 

81 

83 

83 

83 
31 

82 
82 
82 
82 

85 

P3 

85 
85 
99 

87 
87 

87 
87 
100 
102 
102 
88 
88 
88 
89 
89 
S9 
89 

31 
100 
100 

90 

90 
90 
90 

100 
154 
154 

80 
93 
93 
93 

93 

94 

95 
95 
95 

2  to  3 
3 

3 

3  to  5 

1  to  lU 

2 
ItolJ^ 

1  to  m 

1.4 

3  to  4 

3 

5  to  7 
3 

1 
1 

1 
1 

5  to  10^ 

'4 

H 
1  to  VA 
2 
2 
1 
3 
4 

5  to  7 

5  to  7 

2 

2  to  3 

4  to  10 
4  to  5 

1 

3 

IH 

1>2' 

2 

2y2 

VA 
2 

Vi 
M  to  1,4 
?4  to  VA 

June-July 

June-July 

June-July 

June-July 
April-May 

March-April 
June 
June 
June 

July-Oct. 

Summer 
July-Sept. 
July-Aug. 

April- May 
May 

May 

May 

April-May 

Aug. 
July-Aug. 
July-Aug. 
July-Aug. 
June-Sept. 
June-Spet. 
June-Sept. 
June-Sept.- 

April 

Aug.-Sept. 

Aug.-Sept. 
Aug.-Sept. 
Aug.-Sept. 

June-Aug. 
June-July 

July 
June 
July 

July-Aug. 
Summer 

May 
Aug.-Sept. 
Aug.-Sept. 

Purple,  white 

Yellow 

Grayish,  marked 

yellow 

Purple  to  white 

Magenta-pink 

Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 

Rosy  purple 

Pink 
Steel  blue 
White 
Leaves    bluish 
green 
Yellow 
White  tinged  pur- 
ple 

Yellow 
White 

Pink 

Rosy  purple 

Orancre 

Purple 

Purple 

Amethyst 

Blue 

Blue 

Blue 

Yellow,  light  pink 

Blue 

White 
Purple 
White 

Red  to  pink 
White 

Blue 
White 
Lilac 

Purple 
Various 

Blue 
Blue 
Blue 

One    of   the    old   garden 

plants 
The    interesting     yellow 

Foxglove 
A  strange  tvpe  of  Fox- 

Digitalis purpurea 

Dodecatheon  Media 

Doronicum  austriacum. . 
Doronicum  caucasicum. . 

Doronicum  Clusii 

Doronicum  plantagineum 

Echinacea  purpurea 

Echinocactus  Simpsonii. . 

glove 
The  favorite  Foxglove 
A  favorite  Midwest    na- 
tive flower 

Some    of    the     earliest 
Daisy-like  flowers 

Strong     growing     peren- 
nial for  poor  soil 
A  globular  shaped  Cactus 

Thistle-like  flowers 

Echinops  sphaerocephalus 

Epimedium  alpinum 

Epimedium  macranthum 

Epimedium       Musschia- 
num                     

Attractive  grass 

Rock  plants  of  unusual 
keeping  quality 

Epimedium  niveum 

Erianthus  Ravennae 

A  good  specimen  grass 
Heathers        of        great 
beauty 

Erigeron  aurantiacus 

Erigeron  glabellum 

Erigeron  speciosus 

Eryngium  amethystinum 
Eryngium  maritimum. . . 
Eryngium  Oliverianum.. 

Eryngium  planum 

Erythronium     american- 
um               .         ... 

Aster-like  flowers 

■Prickly  plants 

Spotted    leaves;     showy 
wild  flower 

Eulalia  gracillima 

Eulalia  japonica 

Eupatorium  ccelestinum.. 

Eupatorium  perfoliatum. 
Eupatorium  purpureum. 
Eupatorium  urticsfolium 

Foliage  variegated 

Like    the    annual    Ager- 
atum 

lExcellent  for  wet  places 
J     in  a  wild  garden 

Dwarf,  gray-leaved  grass 

Filipendula  purpurea 

Filipendula  Ulmaria 

Fraxinella    (see    Dictam- 

A  gracetul,  feathery  sort 
Fern-like      leaves      and 
dainty  flowers 

Funkia  ccerulea 

Funkia  grandiflora 

Funkia  Sieboldiana 

Funkia    undulata    varie- 

Lily-like,    shade   loving 
plants 

Gaillardia  aristata 

Gentiana  acaulis 

Gentiana  Andrewsii 

Gentiana  crinita 

Glorious,  Daisy-like  flow- 
ers 

The  pride   of  the  con- 
noisseur 

TABULAR  CULTURAL  LNDEX  167 

Tabular  Cultural  Index — Continued 


^pecies  or  variety 


Geranium  maculatum.  . , 
Geranium  Robertianum 
Geranium  sanguineum.. 


Geum  coccineum 

Geum  montanum 

Gnaphalium    (see    Leon- 

topodium) 

Gynerium  argenteum — 


Gypsophila  acutifolia.. . 
Gypsophila  cerastioides. 
Gypsophila  paniculata.. 
Gypsophila  repens 


Helenium  autumnale. . . . 

Helenium  Hoopesii 

Helenium  pumilum 

Helianthus  decapetalus. . 
Helianthus  Maximilianii. 

Helianthus  mollis 

Helianthus  orgyalis 

Helianthus  scaberrimus.. 

Heliopsis  Pitcheriana 

Hemerocallis  Dumortieri. 

Hemerocallis  flava 

Hemerocallis  fulva 

Hemerocallis    Midden- 

dorfii 

Hemerocallis  Thunbergii. 
Hepatica    acutiloba   and 

triloba 

Hesperis  matronalis. . 


Heuchera  americana.. 
Heuchera  sanguinea. . 
Hibiscus  Moscheutos. 
Hibiscus  oculiroseus. . 
Hosta  (see  Funkia)... 
Houstonia  ccerulea. . . 
Hydrophyllum 


Hypericum  calycinum. . . 
Hypericum  Moserianum 

Hypoxis  hirsuta 


Iberis  gibraltarica. . 
Iberis  sempervirens. 

Iris  barbata 

Iris  cristata 

Iris  interregna , 


Iris  laevigata . .  . . 
Iris  pseudacorus. 

Iris  pumila 

Iris  sibirica 

Iris  verna 

Iris  versicolor... 


Jeffersonia  diphylla. 
Lastrea  Filix-mas... 


Height 

Page 

in  feet 

9(\ 

9 

96 

3/ 

96 

H 

97 

1  to  m 

97 

1 

87 

100 

5  to  7 

101 

2  to  3 

101 

H 

101 

2  to  3 

JOl 

V2 

103 

4 

103 

2>^ 

103 

214 

104 

6 

104 

6  to  8 

104 

4  to  5 

104 

8  to  10 

104 

5 

106 

2  to  3 

106 

2 

106 

2H 

106 

3 

106 

2 

106 

3 

31 

Yi 

110 

3 

110 

1 

110 

w? 

111 

4  to  5 

111 

4  to  5 

93 

31 

^'^ 

31 

VA 

115 

1 

115 

VA 

31 

M 

116 

1 

116 

1 

116 

2 

116 

K> 

116 

1  to  IM 

116 

2  A 

116 

2A 

116 

H 

116 

2A 

116 

A 

116 

2 

31 

H  to  1 

Flowering 
Period 


April-Aug. 
.Tune-Oct. 
May-July 

June-July 
Summer 


July-Aug. 
June-July 
July-Aug. 
June-July 

July -Sept. 

May 
Aug.-Scpt. 

Sept. 
Sept.-Oct. 
July-Aug. 

Sept. 
Aug.-Sept, 
June-Sept. 
May-June 
May-June 
May-June 

May-June 
June-July 

April 

June-Sept. 

May 
May- July 
Aug.-Sept. 
Aug.-Sept. 

April- May 
May 


July-.\ug. 
J  une-July 

April-July 

April- June 
April-June 

May 

April 

Early  May 

Late  May 

May 

April 
Late  May 

April 

May 

April 


Lavender 
Magenta 
Purple 

Scarlet 
Orange 


Silvery  plumes 

White 

Pinkish  white 

White 

White 

Various 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Orange 
Lemon 
Orange 

Orange 

Lemon 
Lavender,  pink, 

white 
White,  lavender 

White 
Crimson  to  white 

Various 
White,  crimson  eyi 

Light  blue 
White 


Gold 
Gold 

Yellow 


White 
White 

Various 

Light  blue 

Various 

Virions 

Yellow 

Various 

Purple,  white 

Blue 

Blue 

White 


Remarks 


iWild     sorts     in     moist 
/     woods 

A     compact,     floriferous 
species 

Bright  dwarf  plants 


This    Pampas    grass    is 
not  hardy 

The  daintiest  and  most 
graceful  perennial 


Superior  to,  but  re- 
sembling    Sunflowers 

Strong,  growing  peren- 
nials which  shift  for 
themselves 

Much  like  Helianthus 


Day    Lilies    succeeding 
anywhere 


The   common   Hepaticas 
Somewhat    resembles 
Phlox 

1  Dainty  edging  or  rock 
plants 
Flowers    6  in.    or   more 


Dainty  wild  flower 
A  familiar  plant  of  the 
woods 
Neat  flowers  with  a  tuft 
of    stamens    in    the 
center 
A  wild  flower 

I  These  hardy  Candytufts 
[     are  unrivaled  for  deg- 
I     ing 
The  popular  German  liis 


Intermediate     in 

and  height 
Japanese  Iris,  flat  flowers 
Plant  in  water 
The  dainty  edging  plant 
Grows  nicely  in  moist  soil 

Can  be  planted  in  water 

Interesting  wild  flower 

An  evergreen  fern 


168  A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Tabular  Cultural  Index — Continued 


Species  or  variety 


Lavandula  spica 

Lavandula  vera 

Leontopodium  alpinum. . 

Leontopodium  sibiricum 
Leptandra  (see  Veronica) , 

Liatris  pycnostachya 

Liatris  scariosa 

Liatris  spicata 

Linum  flavum 

Linum  perenne 

Lobelia  cardinalis 

Lobelia  syphilitica 

Lupinus  perennis 

Lupinus  polyphyllus — 


Page 


Lychnis  chalcedonica. . . 

Lychnis  coronaria 

Lychnis  Flos-cuculi.   . .  . 

Lychnis  Haageana 

Lychnis  Viscaria 

Lygodium  palmatum. . . 

Lysimachia  clethroides.. 


Lysimachia  Nummularia. 

Lysimachia  punctata. . . . 
Lythrum  Salicaria 


Menziesia  polifolia. . 
Mertensia  virginica. 


Miscanthus  (see  Eulalia) 
Mitchella  repens 


Mitella  diphylla. .  . 
Monarda  didyma. . 

Myosotis  alpestris. 

Myosotis  palustris . 

Nepeta  glecoma. . . 


CEnothera  fruticosa 

CEnothera  missouriensis. 

Oenothera  speciosa 

Opuntia  arenaria 

Opuntia  Camanchica. . . 
Opuntia  phaeacantha. .  . 

Opuntia  polyantha 

Opuntia  Rafinesquii. . .  . 

Opuntia  vulgaris 

Osmunda  cinnamomea. . 

Osmunda  regalis 


Paeonia  albiflora. 
Paeonia  Moutan, 


118 
118 

87 

87 
157 
118 
118 
118 
119 
119 
120 
120 
121 
121 

122 
122 
122 
122 
122 
92 

123 


123 


123 
123 


102 
124 

100 
31 

31 
125 

35 

32 

31 


125 
125 
125 
63 
63 
63 
63 
63 

m 

91 
32.91 


130 


Height 
in  feet 

Flowering 
Period 

1 

Yi  to  y^ 

July-Aug. 

Ju'y-Aug. 

Sept. 

K  to  M 

Sept. 

4  to  5 
3  to  4 
2  to  3 

1 

■1^ 

1  to  2 
lYi  to  3 

July-Au<?. 
Aug.-Sept. 
Aug.-Sept. 
May-Sept. 
May-Sept. 
July-Sept. 
July-Sept. 
May-June 
June-Aug. 

2  to  3 

2 

13/2 
l}-^to2 

1  to  4 

June-Aug. 
June-Aug. 

May 
July-Aug. 

June 

2 

July-Sept. 

M 

June-Sept. 

2H 
4  to  6 

June-Aug. 
July-Aug. 

y2 
2 

July-Sept. 
April 

May-June 

K2  to  u 
2  to  3 

May 
June-Aug. 

1 

May-Aug. 

1 

May-Aug. 

April-Aug. 

1  to  2H 

1  to  2 

1 

1 

3  to  5 

2  to3 


2  to  3 
4 


Color 


May-Sept. 

May-Sept. 

June-Aug. 
Summer 
Summer 
Summer 
Summer 
Summer 
Summer 


June 
Mav 


Light  blue 
Blue 
White 

White 

Rosy  purple 
Rosy  purple 
Rosy  purple 

Yellow- 
Blue,  white 
Cardinal 

Blue 

Violet  blue 

Various 

Scarlet 

Crimson 

Rose 

Red  orange 

Rose,  white 


White 


Yellow 


Yellow 
Reddish  purple 


Rose,  whitf 
Blue 


White 

White 

Crimson,  purple, 

pink 

Blue 

Blue 

Blue 


Yellow 
Yellow 
White 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Yellow 
Tinged  with  red 
Yellow 


Remarks 


Various 
Various 


Fragrant,  rather  tender 
perennials 
The  familiar  Edelweiss 
A   larger   flowered   Edel- 
weiss 

Dense  spikes  and  grass- 
like foliage 

Dainty,    satiny    flowers 

Native  plants  for  damp 
situations 
A  wild  flower 
Tall    spires    of    pea-like 
flowers 

1  Flowers  generally  re- 
sembling Pinks 

This  is  the  charming 
climbing  fern 

A  graceful  perennial  re- 
sembling the  shrubby 
Clethra 

A  creeping  plant  for 
shady  places 

Showy  flowers  in  whorls 

A  tall  perennial  for  wet 
places 

A  bell  flowered  Heather 

One  of  the  daintiest   of 

Spring  wild  flowers 

Trailing;  edible  red  ber- 
ries 
A  wild  flower 

A  striking,  scarlet  flower 
Best  for  ordinary  garden 

soil 
For  wet  ground 

Wild  flower,  sometimes  be- 
coming a  weed:  trailing 

Fragrant  flowers,  open- 
ing in  the  evening 


•Hardy  Cacti 


A    tall    fern    of   unusual 

beauty 
Especially     valuable     in 

wet  soil 

Everybody's  flower 
The  shrubby  Peony 


TABULAR  CULTURAL  INDEX 


169 


Tabular  Cultural  Index — Continued 


Species  or  variety 

Page 

Heifrht 
in  feet 

Flowering 
Period 

Color 

Remarks 

Paeonia  ofl5cinalis 

130 

2  to  2I2 

Late  May 

Generally  red 

The  old  fashioned  Piney 

Pseonia  tenuifolia 

130 

9 

May 
April-June 

Variousi 

Finely  cut  leaves 

Papaver  nudicaule 

128 

1 

Various 

A  dainty  edging  plant 

Papaver  orientale 

128 

2  to  3 

June- July 

Scarlet,  salmon 

The  most  brilliant  Poppy 

Pedicularis  canadensis. . . 

31 

1  to  IH 

May-June 

Greenish-yellow, 
purlish-red 

A  wild  flower 

Pennisetum  japonicum.. 
Pentstemon  barbatus 

100 

3  to  4 

Mahogany  plumes 

A  graceful  grass 

Torreyi 

135 
135 

3 

23  2 

June 
June-July 

Scarlet 
White,  purple 

Brilliant,  dainty  flowers 

Pentstemon  Digitalis.... 

Showy  flowers,  somewhat 

like  a  Snapdragon 

Pentstemon  glo.xinioides. 

135 

2  to  3 

July-Sept. 

Various 

The   handsomest   of   all; 
rather  tender 

Phlox  amoena 

136 
136 
136 

2  to  4 
1 

June 
June 
May 

Rose 
Various 
Lavender 

One  of  the  dwarf  Phloxes 

Phlox  decussata 

The  standard  hardy  Phlox 

Phlox  divaricata 

Good  for  wild  gardens 

Phlox  subulata 

136 

April-May 

Rosy-purple 

A  supreme  rock  and  edg- 

Phlox suffruticosa 

136 

3 

June 

Various 

ing  plant 
The  early  type  of  hardy 
Phlox 

Physostegia  virginiana . . 

139 

3  to3V2 

June-Sept. 

Pink,  white 

Erect    spikes,    good    for 
cutting 

Phalaris  arundinacea 

101 

2 

Leaves   variegated 

The    commonest    ribbon 

Phyllostachyo  aurea 

99 

15 

Stems  yellow 

grass 
A  tall  growing  bamboo 

Platycodon  grandiflorum 

141 

21-7 

J'lly-Sept. 

Blue,  white 

Large  flowers,  of  great 
beauty 

Platycodon  Mariesii 

141 

i' 

July-Sept. 

Blue,  white 

Phi  mbago  Larpentae 

142 

1 

Aug.-Oct. 

Deep  blue 

Excellent      Fall      edging 

plant 
An  old  favorite,  native 

Podophyllum  peltatum. . 

31 

?i  to  1 

A   ^^^^  , 

White 

Polemonium  caeruleum... 

Polemonium  humile 

Polemonium  reptans 

143 
143 
143 

1 

April-July 
May- June 
May- June 

Blue,  white 

Light  blue 

Blue 

Graceful     plants     with 
I     flowers  of  character 

Polygonatum  biflorum.. . 

31 

1  to  3 

May 

Greenish  white 

A  native  plant 

Polygonum  affne 

144 

Htoi},, 

Sept. 

Rosy  red 

Polygonum  ampexicaule. 

144 

2  to  3 

Sept  .-Oct. 

Rosy  red 

[Very       free       growing 

Polygonum  sachalinense. 

144 

9  to  12 

Aug.-Sept. 

Greenish  white 

perennials 

Polygonum  Sieboldii 

114 

132 

Aug. -Sept. 

White 

Polypodium  vulgare 

92 

1 

A    fern    commonly    seen 
on  steep  ledges 

Potentilla  atrosanguinea. 

144 

v/> 

June- Aug. 

Various 

Showy       flowers      upon 
Strawberry-like  plants 

Primula  (Cowslip) 

145 

•2  to  3,4 

^.  ^Y 

Various 

\Favorite      old      edging 

Primula  japonica 

145 

32  to   h 

May- J  line 

Crimson,  white 

/     plants 

Pyrethrum  roseum 

146 

2  to  3 

May-July 

Various 

Exceedingly  bright  Dai- 
sies 

Pyrola  americana 

31 

I2  to  h 

June-July 

White 

Leaves  round 

Pyrola  elliptica 

31 

'2  to  H 

June- July 

White 

Leaves  elliptical 

Romneya  Coulteri 

147 

4 

June-Oct. 

White 

Most    extraordinary 
white,  silken  flowers 

Rudbeckia  laciniata 

(Golden  Glow) 

149 

5  to  6 

July-Sept. 

Yellow 

Rudbeckia  maxima 

149 

6  to  8 

Aug.-Sept. 

Yellow 

These  flowers  are  char- 

Rudbeckia  Newmannii... 

149 

3 

Aug.-Sept. 

Orange 

\     acterized      by      their 

Rudbeckia  nitida 

140 

2  to  3 

July-Sept. 

Yellow 

high,  cone-like  centers 

Rudbeckia  subtomentosa 

149 

3 

July-Sept. 

Yellow 

Rudbeckia  triloba 

149 

5 

Aug.-Sept. 

Yellow 

Salvia  a^urea  grandiflora. 

150 

3  to  4 

Aug.-Oct. 

Light  blue 

Salvia  farinacea 

150 
150 

3  to  4 

23^^ 

Aug.-Oct. 
July-Aug. 

Light  blue 
Deep  blue 

The    hardy    Sages    are 

Salvia  nemorosa 

!•     all  interesting 

Salvia  patens 

150 
1.50 

2 

■T  to6 

July-Oct. 
July-Oct. 

Deep  blue 
Light  blue 

1 

Salvia  uliginosa 

J 

170 


A  LITTLE  BOOK  OF  PERENNIALS 

Tabular  Cultural  Index — Continued 


Species  or  variety 

Page 

31 

31 
151 
151 
151 
152 
152 
152 
152 
152 
152 
152 
152 
152 

31 
31 

154 
155 

155 

155 
155 
155 

155 
155 
31 

31 

31 
156 
31 

154 
101 

31 

157 

157 
157 
157 

157 
157 
31 
31 

.158 

Height 
in  feet 

Flowering 
Period 

Color 

Remarks 

Sanguinaria  candensis. . . 

Saxifraga  virginiensis.  . . 

Scabiosa  caueasica 

Scabiosa  japonica 

Scabiosa  ochroleuca 

Sedum  acre       

14 
1 V^  to  2 
lV^to2 

iy2 

Trailing 

II 

Trailing 
Trailing 
H 
l}4 
Trailing 
Trailing 

1 
lto3 

1 

3 
4  to  5 

1  to  2 

5 

4 
A 

lto3 

1 
2 

1 

3 

IM 

1 

9 

A 

1 

H 

3  to  5 

Trailing 

A 

6 

Mar.-April 

April-May 
June-Sept. 
June-Sept. 
June-Sept. 
July-Aug. 
July-A\ig. 
July-Aug. 
July-Aug. 
July-Aug. 

Sept. 
Aug.-Sept. 
July-Aug. 
July-Aug. 

June-July 
May 

July-Oct. 

June- July 

June 
July-Sept. 
April-May 

Aug.-Sept. 
June-July 
April-May 

May-Aug. 

May 
May-Aug. 
April -May 

April-May 

July-Aug. 

July-Sept. 

May-June 

June 

May-June 

July 

April 
April-May 

June 

White 

White 

Lavender 

Lavender 

Yellow 

Yellow 

White 

Yellow 

Yellow 

Yellow 

Pink 

Rose 

Purplish-pink 

White 

Blue 
White 

Lavender,  purple, 
rose,  white 

Yellow 

White 

White 

Purplish  and 

greenish 

Rose  purple 

Golden  yellow 

White 

Purplish  blue 

White,  red 
Yellow 
Yellow 

Yellow 

Amethyst  blue 

Violet  blue 
Violet 
Blue 

Violet 
White 
Purple 
White,  purple, 
yellow 

White 

The   old  favorite  Blood- 
root 
A  native  rock  plant 
These     long     stemmed 
flowers  are  good  for 
cutting 

Sedum  kamtschaticum.... 

Sedum  reflexum 

Sedum  sexangulare 

Sedum  Sieboldii 

Interesting  rock  plants, 
but    many   sorts    are 
good  for  the  border 

Sedum  spectabile 

Sedum  stoloniferum 

Sedum  ternatum 

Sisyrinchium     angustifo- 
lium      ■     , . ,       ,  , ,  . , 

The  Blue-eyed  Grass 

Smilacina  racemosa 

Spiraea  (see  Filipendula, 

Aruncus  and  Astilbe). 

Stokesia  Isevis 

A  wild  plant 
Resembles  a  Cornflower 

Thalictrum  adiantifolium 

Thalictrum    aquilegifoli- 

um 

and  an  Aster 

Thalictrum  Cornutii 

Thalictrum  dioicum 

Thalictrum      dipterocar- 
pum  

Feathery     flowers     un- 
•    excelled    for    graceful 
effect 

Thalictrum  glaucum 

Tiarella  cordifolia 

Tradescantia  virginica. . . 

Trillium  (various) 

Trollius  europseus 

Tussilaga  Farfara 

Ulmaria  (see  Filipendula) 

A  native  plant  with  fuzzy 

flowers 
A   native   plant  for  the 

waterside 
Our  favorite  wild  flowers 
A  glorified  Buttercup 
Sometimes  a  weed 

Flat,    drooping    clusters 

Uvularia  grandiflora 

Veronica  incana 

Veronica  longifolia  sub- 
sessilis 

of  spikelets  make  this 
grass  attractive 
A  wild  flower 

Whitish  leaves 

The  showiest 

A  trailing  form 

Veronica  spicata 

Veronica    Teucrium    ru- 

An  early,  upright  form 

Veronica  virginica 

A  tall  white 

A  native  ground  cover 

Viola  (various) 

Favorite    Violets   of   va- 

Yucca filamentosa 

rious    sorts 

Coarse    evergreen     with 
graceful  flowers 

PRACTICAL 
LANDSCAPE 
GARDENING 

By  ROBERT  B.  CRIDLAND,  Landscape  Architect 

The  author  freely  gave  of  his  great  knowl- 
edge when  he  wrote  this  splendid  book.  On 
the  theory  that  "every  house  in  a  community 
should  contribute  toward  the  enjoyment  of 
the  inhabitants  thereof,  in  some  little  artistic 
excellence,"  the  w-riter  goes  about  showing 
how  to  place  the  house,  grade  the  landscape 
and  plan  and  plant  intelligently.  No  pages 
are  wasted  in  useless  talk. 

Description    of    Chapter    Illustrations 


1 — ^The  Importance  of  All  Careful 
Planning:. — Six  halftone  illustrations  show- 
ing completed  results. 

2 — Locating  the  House. — Seven  line 
drawings  of  studies  of  house  locations  on 
small  lots  and  one  showing  best  exposure 
for  the  house  in  its  relation  to  the  sun. 

3 — Arrangements  of  Walks,  Drives 
and  Entrances. — Twelve  illustrations  of 
approaches  or  entrances,  ten  driveways 
and  three  walks. 

4 — Construction  of  Walks  and  Drives. 
— Twenty-five  teaching  illustrations  of 
cement,  macadam,  flagstone,  slate  and 
other  walks,  cement  approaches  and  gutters, 
bituminous    and    cement    driveways,    etc. 

5 — Lawns  and  Their  Grading,  Con- 
struction and  Upkeep. — Nine  line  cuts 
showing  correct  grading  under  varying 
conditions,  and  three  halftone  illustrations 
of  charming  lawn  views  properly  treated. 

6 — Ornamental  Planting  of  Trees  and 
Shrubs. — Twenty-four  fine  halftones  illus- 
trating suitable  backgrounds,  base  plant- 
ings, specimen  trees  for  the  lawn,  boundary 


plantings,  border  plantings,  etc.,  together 
with  numerous  line  cuts  showing  how  to 
plant  and  move  trees,  lay  out  orna- 
mental vegetable  garden,  lawn  group- 
ings, etc. 

7 — The  Flower  Garden. — Seventeen 
halftones  of  properly  laid  out  gardens  with 
several  planting  plans  and  keys  thereto. 

8 — Architectural  Features. — Eight 
halftones  showing  bird  bath,  fountains  and 
pools,  garden  seats,  pergolas  and  other 
features,  together  with  plans  for  the  con- 
struction of  garden  houses,  entrances, 
pergolas,  etc. 

9 — Hardy  Borders  and  Rose  Gardens. 
— Fifteen  attractive  halftones  and  plans  of 
borders  and  Rose  gardens. 

10 — Wild  Gardens  and  Rock  Gar- 
dens.— Seven  illustrations,  together  with 
plan  sho^sing  how  to  build  a  dry  retaining 
wall  for  planting. 

11 — Planting  Plans. — Nineteen  plans 
showing  a  variety  of  artistic  arrangements 
possible  on  small  properties.  These  plans 
are  keyed  and  accompanied  by  planting  lists 
which  have  been  tested  in  actual  practice. 


PRACTICAL  LANDSCAPE  GARDENING  islan  entirely  different 
book  from  any  landscape  treatise  previously  written,  because  it  fits  into 
your  wants,  considers  practicability  equally  with  the  laws  of  art  and 
beauty,  and  covers  every  detail.  It  contains  91  photographic  illustra- 
tions, 67  sketches  and  33  plans,  19  of  which  are  planting  plans  accom- 
panied by  planting  keys.     276  pages,  size  6x8  in. 

A.  T.  DE  U  MARE  CO.  Inc.  438  to  448  West  37th  St.  NEW  YORK 


GARDEN  GUIDE 

THE   AMATEUR    GARDENERS'   HANDBOOK 

A  Twelve  Months'  Gardening  Paper 
All  Under  One  Cover 

The  very  book  j'ou  have  been  looking  for  all  these  years. 
Absolutely  nothing  in  print  to  compare  with  its  fund  of 
diverse  information. 

Throughout  its  pages  expert  veteran  gardeners  tell  the 
amateur  in  remarkably  simple,  easily  understood  language, 
how  to  plan,  plant  and  maintain  the  home  grounds,  sub- 
urban garden,  or  city  lot ;  how  to  grow  good  vegetables 
and  fruit ;  how^  to  raise  beautiful  flowers ;  how  to  take  care 
of  lawns,  porch  plants,  window  boxes,  etc.  The  book 
gives  the  How,  the  When,  and  the  Where — from  the  pur- 
chase of  the  proper  tools  to  reaping  the  harvest,  and  1001 
other  points.  It  is  of  upstanding  value  to  every  man  or 
woman  interested  in  gardening,  regardless  of  the  amount 
of  land  at  their  disposal. 

Its  chapters  cover : 

Planning  the   Home  Grounds  The  Vegetable   Garden 

Lawns  and  Grass  Plots  Fertilizers 

Hedges   and   Fences  Transplanting 

Trees   and    Shrubs  Pruning  of   Plants 

The  Rose  Garden  Enemies    of    Plants 

Hardy  Perennials  for  the  Diseases  of  Plants 

Permanent  Garden  Lawn   and   Garden   Weeds 

Annuals  and   Biennials  Winter   Protection 

Bulbs  and  Tuberous-rooted  Plant  Propagation 

Plants  Greenhouses,    Hotbeds    and 
Hardy  Garden  Ferns  Frames 

The  Rock  Garden  Garden  Tools 

Garden   Furniture  Calendar    of    Garden    Opera- 
Window    Boxes   and    Porch  tions  for  the  Year 

Plants  Animal    Life   in    the   Garden 

Fruit  for  the  Small  Garden  Birds  in   the  Garden 

Bungalow   or    Mid-Summer  Fruits  and  Vegetables  for 

Gardening  Winter 

The  Garden  Guide  consists  of  384  pages  ana  numerous 
illustrations,  these  selected  not  for  their  picturesqueness,  but 
as  teaching  examples,  there  being  a  reason  for  each  and 
every  picture  presented.  A  charming  cover  in  four  colors 
depicts  a  flower  garden  and  lawn  view  any  garden  lover 
would  be  proud  of. 

A.     I  •    Ll6  LSi  iVl2ir6    \yO»  InC*  NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. 


Practical  Plant  Propagation 

An  Exposition  of  the  Art  and  Science  of 

Increasing  Plants  as  Practised  by  the 

Nurseryman,  Florist  and  Gardener 

By  Alfred  C.  Hottes 

Second  Edition, 
greatly  enlarged 

Appeals  to  every  one 
who  has  to  do  with  seeds 
and  plants,  whether  ama- 
teur or  professional. 

A  book  of  this  sort  has 
never  been  of  more  inter- 
est to  the  florist  and  nur- 
seryman than  at  present, 
as  they  can  no  longer  look 
to  Europe  for  their  stock 
of  plants. 

The  text  is  brief  and  to 
the  point.  No  lengthy  dis- 
cussions,    but    facts    are 
tersely  stated,  so  that  the 
busy  propagator  may  get 
the  point  quickly  and  re- 
turn to  the  propagation  of 
his  plants. 
All  amateurs  have  an  intense  desire  to  propagate  those  plants 
which  they  admire.     In  this  book  is  told  in  simple  terms  how  to 
graft  fruit  trees,  make  cuttings  and  layers,  and  sow  the  seeds 
which  are  often  difficult  to  germinate. 

The  revised  edition  is  valuable  because  it  includes  as  added 
features  a  thorough  discussion  of  the  propagation  of  conifers,  the 
late  work  of  Dr.  Griffiths  in  raising  Easter  Lilies  from  seed,  the 
sowing  of  vegetable  seeds  for  greenhouse  culture,  notes  on  prop- 
agation of  Ericas,  palms,  Araucarias  and  many  of  the  excluded 
plants,  besides  many  additions  to  the  already  comprehensive 
notes  on  the  propagation  of  shrubs  and  trees.  It  makes  clearer 
a  thousand  little  points  which  the  old  edition  touched  upon. 

Profusely  illustrated  with  halftones  and  line  cuts.  Prac- 
tically every  one  of  the  line  cuts  has  been  drawn  specially 
for  this  work. 

A.  T.  De  La  Mare  Co.  Inc. 


438  to  448  West  37th  Street 
New  York,  N.  Y. 


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^  A  A  A  A  <t 


BOOKS 

for  the 

garden.  Home  grounds 
and  Farm 

SPECIALLY  SELECTED  TO  MEET 
THE  NEEDS  OF  ALL  OWNING 
OR  HOPING  TO  OWN  HOMES 
IN  THE  COUNTRY  OR  SUBURBS 


Architecture  in  the  Country — Houses,  Bungalows,  Barns, 
Garages,   Garden  Architecture. 

The  Garden — Flowers,  Trees,  Shrubs,  Fruits,  Vegetables, 
etc. 

Landscape   Gardening   and    Home    Ground    Surroundings. 

Agriculture,  Farm  and  Domestic  Animals,  Poultry,  Dairy- 
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Fish,  Frogs,   Turtles,  Snakes. 

Bees,  Birds,  Butterflies,   Insects. 

Cultivation  of  Plants  under  Glass  and  in   the  Open. 

Soils,  Fertilizers,  Plant  Diseases  and  Remedies,  Insect 
Pests. 

Indoor  Games  and  Outdoor  Sports,  Boats,  Autos  and 
Airplanes,    Camping. 

Fiction  Pertaining  to  Nature. 

^escriptvve  catalog,  listing  the  best  books  published  in 
oAmerica  on  above  subjects  can  be  obtained  from 

A.  T.  DE  LA  MARE  COMPANY,  Inc. 

438  to  448  West  37th  St.,  NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. 


